Surgical rfid assemblies for display and communication

ABSTRACT

A control system for a surgical instrument for use with a surgical system. The surgical system comprises a first device and a second device, which can include a surgical hub, a visualization system, or a robotic system. The control system comprises an RFID scanner and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner. The control circuit is configured to receive data from RFID tags associated with the devices, determine a communication protocol for communicating with the devices, and accordingly cause the surgical instrument to utilize the determined communication protocol to establish a communication link between the surgical instrument and the devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/868,457, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE RFID TAGS, filed onJun. 28, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in variousembodiments, to surgical cutting and stapling instruments and staplecartridges therefor that are designed to cut and staple tissue. Invarious embodiments, RFID technology can be used to identify thecomponents of a surgical instrument, such as staple cartridges, forexample. Examples of surgical systems which use RFID technology can befound in the disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 7,959,050, entitledELECTRICALLY SELF-POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUAL RELEASE, whichissued on Jun. 14, 2011, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2015/0053743,entitled ERROR DETECTION ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTASSEMBLIES, which published on Feb. 26, 2015, and both of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a control system for a surgical instrument foruse with a surgical system, the surgical system including a first deviceand a second device, is disclosed. The control system includes an RFIDscanner and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner. The controlcircuit is configured to receive a first datum from a first RFID tagassociated with a first device via the RFID scanner, receive a seconddatum from a second RFID tag associated with a second device via theRFID scanner, determine a communication protocol suitable for the firstdevice and the second device according to the first datum and the seconddatum, and cause the surgical instrument to utilize the determinedcommunication protocol for communicating with the first device and thesecond device.

In various embodiments, a control system for a surgical instrument isdisclosed. The control system includes an RFID scanner and a controlcircuit coupled to the RFID scanner and a display screen. The controlcircuit is configured to receive a first datum from a first RFID tagassociated with a first device, receive a second datum from a secondRFID tag associated with a second device, and determine a surgicalprocedure type according to the first datum and the second datum.

In various embodiments, a control system for a surgical instrument isdisclosed. The control system includes an RFID scanner and a controlcircuit coupled to the RFID scanner and a display screen. The controlcircuit is configured to receive a first datum from a first RFID tagassociated with the surgical instrument via the RFID scanner, the firstdatum identifying a device, receive a second datum from a second RFIDtag via the RFID scanner, the second datum identifying a user, anddetermine a user setting corresponding to the user and the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of various aspects are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The various aspects, however, both as to organizationand methods of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings asfollows.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer-implemented interactive surgicalsystem, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a surgical system being used to perform a surgical procedurein an operating room, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a surgical hub paired with a visualization system, a roboticsystem, and an intelligent instrument, in accordance with at least oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a surgical data network comprising a modularcommunication hub configured to connect modular devices located in oneor more operating theaters of a healthcare facility, or any room in ahealthcare facility specially equipped for surgical operations, to thecloud, in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer-implemented interactive surgical system,in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a surgical hub comprising a plurality of modulescoupled to the modular control tower, in accordance with at least oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a control system of a surgical stapling instrument, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A depicts another control system of a surgical staplinginstrument, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts stapling head assembly and an anvil being coupled to atrocar of the stapling head assembly, in accordance with at least oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts a partial transverse cross-sectional view of an anvil inan improper seating orientation with a stapling head assembly, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 depicts a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of an anvilin an improper seating orientation with a stapling head assembly, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a surgical instrument communicably coupled to asurgical hub, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a table of surgical instrument component data, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram of a surgical hub detecting RFID tagsassociated with a surgical instrument and a user, in accordance with atleast one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional view of a surgical instrument includingan RFID scanner configured to detect an RFID tag associated with aconsumable device, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a table of surfaces for various surgical clip types,in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a table of mechanical properties for varioussurgical clip types, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for determining asurgical instrument communication protocol via an RFID assembly, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for determiningsurgical procedure information for display via an RFID assembly, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for determininginformation tailored to a user via an RFID assembly, in accordance withat least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for determiningwhether surgical system components are compatible via an RFID assembly,in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21A illustrates a perspective view of a first jaw assembly for asurgical clip applier, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 21B illustrates a perspective view of a second jaw assembly for asurgical clip applier, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates a graph depicting force relative to displacementstroke for various surgical clip applier firings as controlled by acontrol system, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for determiningsurgical instrument operational settings via an RFID assembly, inaccordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for determiningsurgical instrument operational settings according to consumable typevia an RFID assembly, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates a graph depicting force relative to displacementstroke for various surgical clip applier firings as controlled by acontrol system, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 26 illustrates a graph depicting longitudinal cam load forcerelative to displacement stroke for various surgical clip applierfirings as controlled by a control system, in accordance with at leastone aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 illustrates a graph depicting spring back properties for varioustype of surgical clips, in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 28 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for determiningsurgical instrument operational settings tailored to a user via an RFIDassembly, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 29 illustrates a graphical user interface including a staple heightwidget, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 30 illustrates a graph depicting force relative to displacementstroke for a surgical stapler firing as controlled by a control system,in accordance with at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 illustrates a graph depicting force relative to time for asurgical stapler firing as controlled by a control system, in accordancewith at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for successivelyupdating an operational parameter via an RFID assembly, in accordancewith at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 illustrates a logic flow diagram of a process for updating adefault operational algorithm of a surgical instrument via an RFIDassembly, in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

DESCRIPTION

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on even date herewith and which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   Attorney Docket No. END9145USNP1/190235-1M, entitled METHOD FOR        AUTHENTICATING THE COMPATIBILITY OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH A        SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9146USNP1/190236, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN RFID SYSTEM;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9147USNP1/190237, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN RFID SYSTEM FOR TRACKING A MOVABLE        COMPONENT;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9148USNP1/190238, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ALIGNED RFID SENSOR;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9123USNP1/190239, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING AN INFORMATION DECRYPTION PROTOCOL;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9124USNP1/190240, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING AN INFORMATION ENCRYPTION PROTOCOL;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9125USNP1/190241, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING A LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR AN INCOMPATIBLE        CARTRIDGE;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9126USNP1/190242, entitled SURGICAL        STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING A FRANGIBLE RFID TAG; and    -   Attorney Docket No. END9127USNP1/190243, entitled PACKAGING FOR        A REPLACEABLE COMPONENT OF A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on even date herewith and which are eachherein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   Attorney Docket No. END9119USNP1/190245-1M, entitled METHOD OF        USING MULTIPLE RFID CHIPS WITH A SURGICAL ASSEMBLY;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9120USNP1/190246, entitled MECHANISMS FOR        PROPER ANVIL ATTACHMENT SURGICAL STAPLING HEAD ASSEMBLY;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9121USNP1/190247, entitled MECHANISMS FOR        MOTOR CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS OF A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9122USNP1/190248, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT WITH BATTERY COMPATIBILITY VERIFICATION        FUNCTIONALITY;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9131USNP1/190249, entitled SURGICAL        SYSTEM WITH RFID TAGS FOR UPDATING MOTOR ASSEMBLY PARAMETERS;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9132USNP1/190250, entitled SURGICAL        SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE RFID TAGS;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9149USNP1/190251, entitled RFID        IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9150USNP1/190252, entitled RFID        IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;    -   Attorney Docket No. END9152USNP1/190254, entitled SURGICAL RFID        ASSEMBLIES FOR COMPATIBILITY DETECTION; and    -   Attorney Docket No. END9153USNP1/190255, entitled SURGICAL RFID        ASSEMBLIES FOR INSTRUMENT OPERATIONAL SETTING CONTROL.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on May 1, 2018 and which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,129,        entitled SURGICAL SUTURING SYSTEMS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,139,        entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING CONTROL SYSTEMS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,177,        entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,128,        entitled MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,192,        entitled SURGICAL DISSECTORS; AND    -   U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,134,        entitled SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Aug. 24, 2018 which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,129, entitled SURGICAL        SUTURING INSTRUMENT CONFIGURED TO MANIPULATE TISSUE USING        MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL POWER;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,155, entitled SURGICAL        SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CAPTURE WIDTH WHICH IS LARGER        THAN TROCAR DIAMETER;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,168, entitled SURGICAL        SUTURING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A NON-CIRCULAR NEEDLE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,180, entitled ELECTRICAL        POWER OUTPUT CONTROL BASED ON MECHANICAL FORCES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,193, entitled REACTIVE        ALGORITHM FOR SURGICAL SYSTEM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,099, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ADAPTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,112, entitled CONTROL        SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR A MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,119, entitled ADAPTIVE        CONTROL PROGRAMS FOR A SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING MORE THAN ONE        TYPE OF CARTRIDGE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,097, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING BATTERY ARRANGEMENTS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,109, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,114, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING FEEDBACK MECHANISMS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,117, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING LOCKOUT MECHANISMS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,095, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A LOCKABLE END EFFECTOR SOCKET;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,121, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,151, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATION AND ROTATION        COMPENSATION;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,154, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A BIASED SHIFTING MECHANISM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,226, entitled SURGICAL        INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE THAT PROVIDES FOR        HIGH ARTICULATION ANGLES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,062, entitled SURGICAL        DISSECTORS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,098, entitled SURGICAL        DISSECTORS CONFIGURED TO APPLY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,237, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER CONFIGURED TO STORE CLIPS IN A STORED STATE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,245, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN EMPTY CLIP CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,249, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC CLIP FEEDING SYSTEM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,253, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE FIRING CONTROL; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,257, entitled SURGICAL        CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE CONTROL IN RESPONSE TO A STRAIN        GAUGE CIRCUIT.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications that were filed on Oct. 26, 2018 which are each hereinincorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,130, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING INTERCHANGEABLE CLIP RELOADS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,066, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A MOVABLE CLIP MAGAZINE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,078, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A ROTATABLE CLIP MAGAZINE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,087, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING CLIP ADVANCING SYSTEMS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,094, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A CLIP CRIMPING SYSTEM;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,128, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A RECIPROCATING CLIP ADVANCING MEMBER;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,168, entitled CLIP        APPLIER COMPRISING A MOTOR CONTROLLER;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,164, entitled SURGICAL        SYSTEM COMPRISING A SURGICAL TOOL AND A SURGICAL HUB; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,303, entitled METHOD FOR        OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATING MULTI-CLIP APPLIER.

Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patentapplications, filed on Dec. 4, 2018, the disclosure of each of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,385, titled METHOD OF        HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE AND DISPLAY;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,395, titled METHOD OF        HUB COMMUNICATION;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,403, titled METHOD OF        CLOUD BASED DATA ANALYTICS FOR USE WITH THE HUB;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,407, titled METHOD OF        ROBOTIC HUB COMMUNICATION, DETECTION, AND CONTROL;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,416, titled METHOD OF        HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, DISPLAY, AND CLOUD ANALYTICS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,423, titled METHOD OF        COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY        DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,427, titled METHOD OF        USING REINFORCED FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS TO        OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE OF RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,433, titled METHOD OF        SENSING PARTICULATE FROM SMOKE EVACUATED FROM A PATIENT,        ADJUSTING THE PUMP SPEED BASED ON THE SENSED INFORMATION, AND        COMMUNICATING THE FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS OF THE SYSTEM TO THE        HUB;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,447, titled METHOD FOR        SMOKE EVACUATION FOR SURGICAL HUB;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,453, titled METHOD FOR        CONTROLLING SMART ENERGY DEVICES;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,458, titled METHOD FOR        SMART ENERGY DEVICE INFRASTRUCTURE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,465, titled METHOD FOR        ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND        INTERACTION;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,478, titled METHOD FOR        SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK        CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON A SENSED        SITUATION OR USAGE;    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,490, titled METHOD FOR        FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION; and    -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,491, titled METHOD FOR        CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON        SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.

Before explaining various aspects of surgical devices and systems indetail, it should be noted that the illustrative examples are notlimited in application or use to the details of construction andarrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings anddescription. The illustrative examples may be implemented orincorporated in other aspects, variations, and modifications and may bepracticed or carried out in various ways. Further, unless otherwiseindicated, the terms and expressions employed herein have been chosenfor the purpose of describing the illustrative examples for theconvenience of the reader and are not for the purpose of limitationthereof. Also, it will be appreciated that one or more of thefollowing-described aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples,can be combined with any one or more of the other following-describedaspects, expressions of aspects and/or examples.

Various surgical systems and instruments (e.g. surgical staplinginstrument, surgical clip applier, surgical suturing instrument) aredescribed in connection with the present disclosure. The surgicalsystems and/or instruments comprise a radio-frequency identification(RFID) system that includes one or more RFID scanners and one or moreRFID tags, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Examples ofsurgical systems which use RFID technology are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,959,050 and U.S. Patent Application No. 2015/0053743, both ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is used in a variety of industriesto track and identify objects. RFID relies on radio waves to transferdigitally-stored information from a RFID tag to a RFID reader orreceiver configured to receive the information. RFID technology usesRFID tags, sometimes referred to as chips, which containelectronically-stored information, and RFID readers, which serve toidentify and communicate with the RFID tags. There are two differenttypes of RFID systems—active RFID systems and passive RFID systems.Active RFID systems include RFID tags that comprise an on-board powersource to broadcast their signals. Active RFID tags can include abattery within the RFID tag which allows the active RFID tag to functionindependently from the RFID reader. As such, RFID tags in an active RFIDsystem do not need to wait to receive a signal from a RFID reader beforesending out information. Instead, the active RFID tags are free tocontinuously send out a signal, or beacon. Many commercially availableactive RFID systems often operate at one of two main frequencyranges—433 MHz and 915 MHz, but any suitable frequency range can beused. Typically, a RFID tag must be within a specific distance orfrequency range in order to be identified by its corresponding RFIDreader.

Passive RFID systems include RFID tags which do not comprise an on-boardpower source but instead receive the energy needed to operate from anRFID reader. Contrary to active RFID tags, RFID tags in a passive RFIDsystem do not actively send out a signal before receiving a prompt.Instead, passive RFID tags wait to receive information from a RFIDreader before sending out a signal. Many commercially-available passiveRFID systems often operate within three frequency ranges—Low Frequency(“LF”), High Frequency (“HF”) & Near-Field Communication (“NFC”), andUltra High Frequency (“UHF”). The LF bandwidth is 125-134 KHz andincludes a longer wavelength with a short read range of approximatelyone to ten centimeters. The HF and NFC bandwidth is 13.56 MHz andincludes a medium wavelength with a typical read range of one centimeterto one meter. The UHF bandwidth is 865-960 MHz and includes a short,high-energy wavelength of one meter which translates into a long readrange. The above being said, any suitable frequency can be used.

A variety of RFID systems comprising differently-sized RFID tags exist.However, some are better suited for use in technology areas that requirethe tracking of very small objects. For example, Hitachi Chemical Co.Ltd. is a leading manufacturer in the RFID technology field. The UltraSmall size UHF RFID tag manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd. istypically no larger than 1.0 to 13 mm and enables communication betweena RFID tag and a RFID reader at distances of several centimeters ormore. Due to its compact nature, the Hitachi RFID tag is suitable forvery small products which need to be identified. Each Hitachi RFID tagcomprises an antenna, an IC chip connected to the antenna, and a sealingmaterial that seals the IC chip and the antenna. Because the HitachiRFID tag incorporates an antenna and an IC chip in a single unit, theHitachi RFID tag is convenient enough to easily affix to any smallobject using an adhesive or tape, for example.

The Hitachi RFID tag comprises a square stainless steel plate and ametal antenna. The antenna comprises a LC resonant circuit or any othersuitable circuit and is electrically connected to the plate. After theplate and the antenna are connected to one another, the antenna andplate are sealed together in a single unit with a sealing material. Thesealing material is primarily composed of epoxy, carbon, and silica toenhance the heat resistance capabilities of the Hitachi RFID tag. Thatis, the heat resistance of the RFID tag substantially depends on theheat resistance capabilities of the sealing material. The sealingmaterial has a high heat resistance withstanding temperatures of up to250 to 300° C. for shorter time periods, such as a few seconds, and isresistant to heat for longer periods of time up to 150° C. Accordingly,the Hitachi RFID tag has a higher heat resistance than conventional RFIDtags and can still operate normally even at high temperatures.Additional information regarding the Hitachi RFID tag can be found inU.S. Pat. No. 9,171,244, which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

Surgical Hubs

Referring to FIG. 1, in various aspects, the RFID systems of the presentdisclosure can be utilized in conjunction with a computer-implementedinteractive surgical system 11100 that includes one or more surgicalsystems 11102 and a cloud-based system (e.g., the cloud 11104 that mayinclude a remote server 11113 coupled to a storage device 105). Eachsurgical system 11102 includes at least one surgical hub 11106 incommunication with the cloud 11104 that may include a remote server11113. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the surgical system11102 includes a visualization system 11108, a robotic system 11110, anda handheld intelligent surgical instrument 11112, which are configuredto communicate with one another and/or the hub 11106. In some aspects, asurgical system 11102 may include an M number of hubs 11106, an N numberof visualization systems 11108, an O number of robotic systems 11110,and a P number of handheld intelligent surgical instruments 11112, whereM, N, O, and P are integers greater than or equal to one.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a surgical system 11102 being used toperform a surgical procedure on a patient who is lying down on anoperating table 11114 in a surgical operating room 11116. A roboticsystem 11110 is used in the surgical procedure as a part of the surgicalsystem 11102. The robotic system 11110 includes a surgeon's console11118, a patient side cart 11120 (surgical robot), and a surgicalrobotic hub 11122. The patient side cart 11120 can manipulate at leastone removably coupled surgical tool 11117 through a minimally invasiveincision in the body of the patient while the surgeon views the surgicalsite through the surgeon's console 11118. An image of the surgical sitecan be obtained by a medical imaging device 11124, which can bemanipulated by the patient side cart 11120 to orient the imaging device11124. The robotic hub 11122 can be used to process the images of thesurgical site for subsequent display to the surgeon through thesurgeon's console 11118.

Other types of robotic systems can be readily adapted for use with thesurgical system 11102. Various examples of robotic systems and surgicaltools that are suitable for use with the present disclosure aredescribed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,339,titled ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Various examples of cloud-based analytics that are performed by thecloud 11104 and are suitable for use with the present disclosure aredescribed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,340,titled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS, filed Dec. 28, 2017, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In various aspects, the imaging device 11124 includes at least one imagesensor and one or more optical components. Suitable image sensorsinclude, but are not limited to, Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) sensors andComplementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensors.

The optical components of the imaging device 11124 may include one ormore illumination sources and/or one or more lenses. The one or moreillumination sources may be directed to illuminate portions of thesurgical field. The one or more image sensors may receive lightreflected or refracted from the surgical field, including lightreflected or refracted from tissue and/or surgical instruments.

The one or more illumination sources may be configured to radiateelectromagnetic energy in the visible spectrum as well as the invisiblespectrum. The visible spectrum, sometimes referred to as the opticalspectrum or luminous spectrum, is that portion of the electromagneticspectrum that is visible to (i.e., can be detected by) the human eye andmay be referred to as visible light or simply light. A typical human eyewill respond to wavelengths in the air that are from about 380 nm toabout 750 nm.

The invisible spectrum (i.e., the non-luminous spectrum) is that portionof the electromagnetic spectrum that lies below and above the visiblespectrum (i.e., wavelengths below about 380 nm and above about 750 nm).The invisible spectrum is not detectable by the human eye. Wavelengthsgreater than about 750 nm are longer than the red visible spectrum, andthey become invisible infrared (IR), microwave, and radioelectromagnetic radiation. Wavelengths less than about 380 nm areshorter than the violet spectrum, and they become invisible ultraviolet,x-ray, and gamma ray electromagnetic radiation.

In various aspects, the imaging device 11124 is configured for use in aminimally invasive procedure. Examples of imaging devices suitable foruse with the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, anarthroscope, angioscope, bronchoscope, choledochoscope, colonoscope,cytoscope, duodenoscope, enteroscope, esophagogastro-duodenoscope(gastroscope), endoscope, laryngoscope, nasopharyngo-neproscope,sigmoidoscope, thoracoscope, and ureteroscope.

In one aspect, the imaging device employs multi-spectrum monitoring todiscriminate topography and underlying structures. A multi-spectralimage is one that captures image data within specific wavelength rangesacross the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelengths may be separated byfilters or by the use of instruments that are sensitive to particularwavelengths, including light from frequencies beyond the visible lightrange, e.g., IR and ultraviolet. Spectral imaging can allow extractionof additional information the human eye fails to capture with itsreceptors for red, green, and blue. The use of multi-spectral imaging isdescribed in greater detail under the heading “Advanced ImagingAcquisition Module” in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017,the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. Multi-spectrum monitoring can be a useful tool in relocating asurgical field after a surgical task is completed to perform one or moreof the previously described tests on the treated tissue.

It is axiomatic that strict sterilization of the operating room andsurgical equipment is required during any surgery. The strict hygieneand sterilization conditions required in a “surgical theater,” i.e., anoperating or treatment room, necessitate the highest possible sterilityof all medical devices and equipment. Part of that sterilization processis the need to sterilize anything that comes in contact with the patientor penetrates the sterile field, including the imaging device 11124 andits attachments and components. It will be appreciated that the sterilefield may be considered a specified area, such as within a tray or on asterile towel, that is considered free of microorganisms, or the sterilefield may be considered an area, immediately around a patient, that hasbeen prepared for a surgical procedure. The sterile field may includethe scrubbed team members, who are properly attired, and all furnitureand fixtures in the area.

In various aspects, the visualization system 11108 includes one or moreimaging sensors, one or more image-processing units, one or more storagearrays, and one or more displays that are strategically arranged withrespect to the sterile field, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In one aspect,the visualization system 11108 includes an interface for HL7, PACS, andEMR. Various components of the visualization system 11108 are describedunder the heading “Advanced Imaging Acquisition Module” in U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVESURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a primary display 11119 is positioned in thesterile field to be visible to an operator at the operating table 11114.In addition, a visualization tower 11111 is positioned outside thesterile field. The visualization tower 11111 includes a firstnon-sterile display 11107 and a second non-sterile display 11109, whichface away from each other. The visualization system 11108, guided by thehub 11106, is configured to utilize the displays 11107, 11109, and 11119to coordinate information flow to operators inside and outside thesterile field. For example, the hub 11106 may cause the visualizationsystem 11108 to display a snapshot of a surgical site, as recorded by animaging device 11124, on a non-sterile display 11107 or 11109, whilemaintaining a live feed of the surgical site on the primary display11119. The snapshot on the non-sterile display 11107 or 11109 can permita non-sterile operator to perform a diagnostic step relevant to thesurgical procedure, for example.

In one aspect, the hub 11106 is also configured to route a diagnosticinput or feedback entered by a non-sterile operator at the visualizationtower 11111 to the primary display 11119 within the sterile field, whereit can be viewed by a sterile operator at the operating table. In oneexample, the input can be in the form of a modification to the snapshotdisplayed on the non-sterile display 11107 or 11109, which can be routedto the primary display 11119 by the hub 11106.

Referring to FIG. 2, a surgical instrument 11112 is being used in thesurgical procedure as part of the surgical system 11102. The hub 11106is also configured to coordinate information flow to a display of thesurgical instrument 11112. For example, coordinate information flow isfurther described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017,the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety. A diagnostic input or feedback entered by a non-sterileoperator at the visualization tower 11111 can be routed by the hub 11106to the surgical instrument display 11237 (FIG. 5) within the sterilefield, where it can be viewed by the operator of the surgical instrument11112. Example surgical instruments that are suitable for use with thesurgical system 11102 are described under the heading “SurgicalInstrument Hardware” in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM, filed Dec. 28, 2017,the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a hub 11106 is depicted in communication with avisualization system 11108, a robotic system 11110, and a handheldintelligent surgical instrument 11112. The hub 11106 includes a hubdisplay 11135, an imaging module 11138, a generator module 11140 (whichcan include a monopolar generator 11142, a bipolar generator 11144,and/or an ultrasonic generator 11143), a communication module 11130, aprocessor module 11132, and a storage array 11134. In certain aspects,as illustrated in FIG. 3, the hub 11106 further includes a smokeevacuation module 11126, a suction/irrigation module 11128, and/or anoperating room mapping module 11133.

During a surgical procedure, energy application to tissue, for sealingand/or cutting, is generally associated with smoke evacuation, suctionof excess fluid, and/or irrigation of the tissue. Fluid, power, and/ordata lines from different sources are often entangled during thesurgical procedure. Valuable time can be lost addressing this issueduring a surgical procedure. Detangling the lines may necessitatedisconnecting the lines from their respective modules, which may requireresetting the modules. The hub modular enclosure 11136 offers a unifiedenvironment for managing the power, data, and fluid lines, which reducesthe frequency of entanglement between such lines.

Aspects of the present disclosure present a surgical hub for use in asurgical procedure that involves energy application to tissue at asurgical site. The surgical hub includes a hub enclosure and a combogenerator module slidably receivable in a docking station of the hubenclosure. The docking station includes data and power contacts. Thecombo generator module includes two or more of an ultrasonic energygenerator component, a bipolar RF energy generator component, and amonopolar RF energy generator component that are housed in a singleunit. In one aspect, the combo generator module also includes a smokeevacuation component, at least one energy delivery cable for connectingthe combo generator module to a surgical instrument, at least one smokeevacuation component configured to evacuate smoke, fluid, and/orparticulates generated by the application of therapeutic energy to thetissue, and a fluid line extending from the remote surgical site to thesmoke evacuation component.

In one aspect, the fluid line is a first fluid line and a second fluidline extends from the remote surgical site to a suction and irrigationmodule slidably received in the hub enclosure. In one aspect, the hubenclosure comprises a fluid interface.

Certain surgical procedures may require the application of more than oneenergy type to the tissue. One energy type may be more beneficial forcutting the tissue, while another different energy type may be morebeneficial for sealing the tissue. For example, a bipolar generator canbe used to seal the tissue while an ultrasonic generator can be used tocut the sealed tissue. Aspects of the present disclosure present asolution where a hub modular enclosure 11136 is configured toaccommodate different generators and facilitate an interactivecommunication therebetween. One of the advantages of the hub modularenclosure 11136 is enabling the quick removal and/or replacement ofvarious modules.

Aspects of the present disclosure present a modular surgical enclosurefor use in a surgical procedure that involves energy application totissue. The modular surgical enclosure includes a first energy-generatormodule, configured to generate a first energy for application to thetissue, and a first docking station comprising a first docking port thatincludes first data and power contacts, wherein the firstenergy-generator module is slidably movable into an electricalengagement with the power and data contacts and wherein the firstenergy-generator module is slidably movable out of the electricalengagement with the first power and data contacts,

Further to the above, the modular surgical enclosure also includes asecond energy-generator module configured to generate a second energy,different than the first energy, for application to the tissue, and asecond docking station comprising a second docking port that includessecond data and power contacts, wherein the second energy-generatormodule is slidably movable into an electrical engagement with the powerand data contacts, and wherein the second energy-generator module isslidably movable out of the electrical engagement with the second powerand data contacts.

In addition, the modular surgical enclosure also includes acommunication bus between the first docking port and the second dockingport, configured to facilitate communication between the firstenergy-generator module and the second energy-generator module.

FIG. 4 illustrates a surgical data network 11201 comprising a modularcommunication hub 11203 configured to connect modular devices located inone or more operating theaters of a healthcare facility, or any room ina healthcare facility specially equipped for surgical operations, to acloud-based system (e.g., the cloud 11204 that may include a remoteserver 11213 coupled to a storage device 11205, as shown in FIG. 5). Inone aspect, the modular communication hub 11203 comprises a network hub11207 and/or a network switch 11209 in communication with a networkrouter. The modular communication hub 11203 also can be coupled to alocal computer system 11210 to provide local computer processing anddata manipulation. The surgical data network 11201 may be configured aspassive, intelligent, or switching. A passive surgical data networkserves as a conduit for the data, enabling it to go from one device (orsegment) to another and to the cloud computing resources. An intelligentsurgical data network includes additional features to enable the trafficpassing through the surgical data network to be monitored and toconfigure each port in the network hub 11207 or network switch 11209. Anintelligent surgical data network may be referred to as a manageable hubor switch. A switching hub reads the destination address of each packetand then forwards the packet to the correct port.

Modular devices 1 a-1 n located in the operating theater may be coupledto the modular communication hub 11203. The network hub 11207 and/or thenetwork switch 11209 may be coupled to a network router 11211 to connectthe devices 1 a-1 n to the cloud 11204 or the local computer system11210. Data associated with the devices 1 a-1 n may be transferred tocloud-based computers via the router for remote data processing andmanipulation. Data associated with the devices 1 a-1 n may also betransferred to the local computer system 11210 for local data processingand manipulation. Modular devices 2 a-2 m located in the same operatingtheater also may be coupled to a network switch 11209. The networkswitch 11209 may be coupled to the network hub 11207 and/or the networkrouter 11211 to connect to the devices 2 a-2 m to the cloud 11204. Dataassociated with the devices 2 a-2 n may be transferred to the cloud11204 via the network router 11211 for data processing and manipulation.Data associated with the devices 2 a-2 m may also be transferred to thelocal computer system 11210 for local data processing and manipulation.

It will be appreciated that the surgical data network 11201 may beexpanded by interconnecting multiple network hubs 11207 and/or multiplenetwork switches 11209 with multiple network routers 11211. The modularcommunication hub 11203 may be contained in a modular control towerconfigured to receive multiple devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m. The localcomputer system 11210 also may be contained in a modular control tower.The modular communication hub 11203 is connected to a display 11212 todisplay images obtained by some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m, forexample, during surgical procedures. In various aspects, the devices 1a-1 n/2 a-2 m may include, for example, various modules, such as animaging module 11138 coupled to an endoscope, a generator module 11140coupled to an energy-based surgical device, a smoke evacuation module11126, a suction/irrigation module 11128, a communication module 11130,a processor module 11132, a storage array 11134, a surgical devicecoupled to a display, and/or a non-contact sensor module, among othermodular devices that may be connected to the modular communication hub11203 of the surgical data network 11201.

In one aspect, the surgical data network 11201 may comprise acombination of network hub(s), network switch(es), and network router(s)connecting the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m to the cloud. Any one of or allof the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m coupled to the network hub or networkswitch may collect data in real time and transfer the data to cloudcomputers for data processing and manipulation. It will be appreciatedthat cloud computing relies on sharing computing resources rather thanhaving local servers or personal devices to handle softwareapplications. The word “cloud” may be used as a metaphor for “theInternet,” although the term is not limited as such. Accordingly, theterm “cloud computing” may be used herein to refer to “a type ofInternet-based computing,” where different services—such as servers,storage, and applications—are delivered to the modular communication hub11203 and/or computer system 11210 located in the surgical theater(e.g., a fixed, mobile, temporary, or field operating room or space) andto devices connected to the modular communication hub 11203 and/orcomputer system 11210 through the Internet. The cloud infrastructure maybe maintained by a cloud service provider. In this context, the cloudservice provider may be the entity that coordinates the usage andcontrol of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m located in one or more operatingtheaters. The cloud computing services can perform a large number ofcalculations based on the data gathered by smart surgical instruments,robots, and other computerized devices located in the operating theater.The hub hardware enables multiple devices or connections to be connectedto a computer that communicates with the cloud computing resources andstorage.

Applying cloud computer data processing techniques on the data collectedby the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m, the surgical data network providesimproved surgical outcomes, reduced costs, and improved patientsatisfaction. At least some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may beemployed to view tissue states to assess leaks or perfusion of sealedtissue after a tissue sealing and cutting procedure. At least some ofthe devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may be employed to identify pathology, suchas the effects of diseases, using the cloud-based computing to examinedata, including images of samples of body tissue for diagnosticpurposes. This includes localization and margin confirmation of tissueand phenotypes. At least some of the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m may beemployed to identify anatomical structures of the body using a varietyof sensors integrated with imaging devices and techniques, such asoverlaying images captured by multiple imaging devices. The datagathered by the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m, including image data, may betransferred to the cloud 11204 or the local computer system 11210 orboth for data processing and manipulation, including image processingand manipulation. The data may be analyzed to improve surgical procedureoutcomes by determining if further treatment, such as the application ofendoscopic intervention, emerging technologies, a targeted radiation,targeted intervention, and precise robotics to tissue-specific sites andconditions, may be pursued. Such data analysis may further employoutcome analytics processing, and using standardized approaches mayprovide beneficial feedback to either confirm surgical treatments andthe behavior of the surgeon or suggest modifications to surgicaltreatments and the behavior of the surgeon.

In one implementation, the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n may beconnected to the modular communication hub 11203 over a wired channel ora wireless channel depending on the configuration of the devices 1 a-1 nto a network hub. The network hub 11207 may be implemented, in oneaspect, as a local network broadcast device that works on the physicallayer of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model. The network hubprovides connectivity to the devices 1 a-1 n located in the sameoperating theater network. The network hub 11207 collects data in theform of packets and sends them to the router in half-duplex mode. Thenetwork hub 11207 does not store any media access control/InternetProtocol (MAC/IP) to transfer the device data. Only one of the devices 1a-1 n can send data at a time through the network hub 11207. The networkhub 11207 has no routing tables or intelligence regarding where to sendinformation and broadcasts all network data across each connection andto a remote server 11213 (FIG. 5) over the cloud 11204. The network hub11207 can detect basic network errors, such as collisions, but havingall information broadcast to multiple ports can be a security risk andcause bottlenecks.

In another implementation, the operating theater devices 2 a-2 m may beconnected to a network switch 11209 over a wired channel or a wirelesschannel. The network switch 11209 works in the data link layer of theOSI model. The network switch 11209 is a multicast device for connectingthe devices 2 a-2 m located in the same operating theater to thenetwork. The network switch 11209 sends data in the form of frames tothe network router 11211 and works in full duplex mode. Multiple devices2 a-2 m can send data at the same time through the network switch 11209.The network switch 11209 stores and uses MAC addresses of the devices 2a-2 m to transfer data.

The network hub 11207 and/or the network switch 11209 are coupled to thenetwork router 11211 for connection to the cloud 11204. The networkrouter 11211 works in the network layer of the OSI model. The networkrouter 11211 creates a route for transmitting data packets received fromthe network hub 11207 and/or network switch 11209 to cloud-basedcomputer resources for further processing and manipulation of the datacollected by any one of or all the devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m. The networkrouter 11211 may be employed to connect two or more different networkslocated in different locations, such as, for example, differentoperating theaters of the same healthcare facility or different networkslocated in different operating theaters of different healthcarefacilities. The network router 11211 sends data in the form of packetsto the cloud 11204 and works in full duplex mode. Multiple devices cansend data at the same time. The network router 11211 uses IP addressesto transfer data.

In one example, the network hub 11207 may be implemented as a USB hub,which allows multiple USB devices to be connected to a host computer.The USB hub may expand a single USB port into several tiers so thatthere are more ports available to connect devices to the host systemcomputer. The network hub 11207 may include wired or wirelesscapabilities to receive information over a wired channel or a wirelesschannel. In one aspect, a wireless USB short-range, high-bandwidthwireless radio communication protocol may be employed for communicationbetween the devices 1 a-1 n and devices 2 a-2 m located in the operatingtheater.

In other examples, the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m maycommunicate to the modular communication hub 11203 via Bluetoothwireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances(using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISM band from 2.4 to2.485 GHz) from fixed and mobile devices and building personal areanetworks (PANs). In other aspects, the operating theater devices 1 a-1n/2 a-2 m may communicate to the modular communication hub 11203 via anumber of wireless or wired communication standards or protocols,including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WMAX (IEEE802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, long-term evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+,HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, and Ethernetderivatives thereof, as well as any other wireless and wired protocolsthat are designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing module mayinclude a plurality of communication modules. For instance, a firstcommunication module may be dedicated to shorter-range wirelesscommunications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a second communicationmodule may be dedicated to longer-range wireless communications such asGPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, and others.

The modular communication hub 11203 may serve as a central connectionfor one or all of the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m andhandles a data type known as frames. Frames carry the data generated bythe devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m. When a frame is received by the modularcommunication hub 11203, it is amplified and transmitted to the networkrouter 11211, which transfers the data to the cloud computing resourcesby using a number of wireless or wired communication standards orprotocols, as described herein.

The modular communication hub 11203 can be used as a standalone deviceor be connected to compatible network hubs and network switches to forma larger network. The modular communication hub 11203 is generally easyto install, configure, and maintain, making it a good option fornetworking the operating theater devices 1 a-1 n/2 a-2 m.

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer-implemented interactive surgical system11200. The computer-implemented interactive surgical system 11200 issimilar in many respects to the computer-implemented interactivesurgical system 11100. For example, the computer-implemented interactivesurgical system 11200 includes one or more surgical systems 11202, whichare similar in many respects to the surgical systems 11102. Eachsurgical system 11202 includes at least one surgical hub 11206 incommunication with a cloud 11204 that may include a remote server 11213.In one aspect, the computer-implemented interactive surgical system11200 comprises a modular control tower 11236 connected to multipleoperating theater devices such as, for example, intelligent surgicalinstruments, robots, and other computerized devices located in theoperating theater. As shown in FIG. 6, the modular control tower 11236comprises a modular communication hub 11203 coupled to a computer system11210. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 5, the modular controltower 11236 is coupled to an imaging module 11238 that is coupled to anendoscope 11239, a generator module 11240 that is coupled to an energydevice 11241, a smoke evacuator module 11226, a suction/irrigationmodule 11228, a communication module 11230, a processor module 11232, astorage array 11234, a smart device/instrument 11235 optionally coupledto a display 11237, and a non-contact sensor module 11242. The operatingtheater devices are coupled to cloud computing resources and datastorage via the modular control tower 11236. A robot hub 11222 also maybe connected to the modular control tower 11236 and to the cloudcomputing resources. The devices/instruments 11235 and visualizationsystems 11208, among others, may be coupled to the modular control tower11236 via wired or wireless communication standards or protocols, asdescribed herein. The modular control tower 11236 may be coupled to ahub display 11215 (e.g., monitor, screen) to display and overlay imagesreceived from the imaging module, device/instrument display, and/orother visualization systems 11208. The hub display also may display datareceived from devices connected to the modular control tower inconjunction with images and overlaid images.

FIG. 6 illustrates a surgical hub 11206 comprising a plurality ofmodules coupled to the modular control tower 11236. The modular controltower 11236 comprises a modular communication hub 11203, e.g., a networkconnectivity device, and a computer system 11210 to provide localprocessing, visualization, and imaging, for example. As shown in FIG. 6,the modular communication hub 11203 may be connected in a tieredconfiguration to expand the number of modules (e.g., devices) that maybe connected to the modular communication hub 11203 and transfer dataassociated with the modules to the computer system 11210, cloudcomputing resources, or both. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the networkhubs/switches in the modular communication hub 11203 includes threedownstream ports and one upstream port. The upstream network hub/switchis connected to a processor to provide a communication connection to thecloud computing resources and a local display 11217. Communication tothe cloud 11204 may be made either through a wired or a wirelesscommunication channel.

The surgical hub 11206 employs a non-contact sensor module 11242 tomeasure the dimensions of the operating theater and generate a map ofthe surgical theater using either ultrasonic or laser-type non-contactmeasurement devices. An ultrasound-based non-contact sensor module scansthe operating theater by transmitting a burst of ultrasound andreceiving the echo when it bounces off the perimeter walls of anoperating theater as described under the heading “Surgical Hub SpatialAwareness Within an Operating Room” in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/611,341, titled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM,filed Dec. 28, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety, in which the sensor module is configured to determine the sizeof the operating theater and to adjust Bluetooth-pairing distancelimits. A laser-based non-contact sensor module scans the operatingtheater by transmitting laser light pulses, receiving laser light pulsesthat bounce off the perimeter walls of the operating theater, andcomparing the phase of the transmitted pulse to the received pulse todetermine the size of the operating theater and to adjust Bluetoothpairing distance limits, for example.

The computer system 11210 comprises a processor 11244 and a networkinterface 11245. The processor 11244 is coupled to a communicationmodule 11247, storage 11248, memory 11249, non-volatile memory 11250,and input/output interface 11251 via a system bus. The system bus can beany of several types of bus structure(s), including the memory bus ormemory controller, a peripheral bus or external bus, and/or a local bususing any variety of available bus architectures including, but notlimited to, 9-bit bus, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA),Micro-Charmel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA (EISA), Intelligent DriveElectronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB), Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI), USB, Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal ComputerMemory Card International Association bus (PCMCIA), Small ComputerSystems Interface (SCSI), or any other proprietary bus.

The processor 11244 may be any single-core or multicore processor suchas those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by Texas Instruments. Inone aspect, the processor may be an LM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F ProcessorCore, available from Texas Instruments, for example, comprising anon-chip memory of 256 KB single-cycle flash memory, or othernon-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, a prefetch buffer to improveperformance above 40 MHz, a 32 KB single-cycle serial random-accessmemory (SRAM), an internal read-only memory (ROM) loaded withStellarisWare® software, a 2 KB electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), and/or one or more pulse width modulation(PWM) modules, one or more quadrature encoder inputs (QEI) analogs, oneor more 12-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with 12 analog inputchannels, details of which are available for the product datasheet.

In one aspect, the processor 11244 may comprise a safety controllercomprising two controller-based families such as TMS570 and RM4×, knownunder the trade name Hercules ARM Cortex R4, also by Texas Instruments.The safety controller may be configured specifically for IEC 61508 andISO 26262 safety critical applications, among others, to provideadvanced integrated safety features while delivering scalableperformance, connectivity, and memory options.

The system memory includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Thebasic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines totransfer information between elements within the computer system, suchas during start-up, is stored in non-volatile memory. For example, thenon-volatile memory can include ROM, programmable ROM (PROM),electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), EEPROM, or flash memory. Volatilememory includes random-access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. Moreover, RAM is available in many forms such as SRAM, dynamicRAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDRSDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and directRambus RAM (DRRAM).

The computer system 11210 also includes removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media, such as for example diskstorage. The disk storage includes, but is not limited to, devices likea magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tape drive, Jaz drive, Zipdrive, LS-60 drive, flash memory card, or memory stick. In addition, thedisk storage can include storage media separately or in combination withother storage media including, but not limited to, an optical disc drivesuch as a compact disc ROM device (CD-ROM), compact disc recordabledrive (CD-R Drive), compact disc rewritable drive (CD-RW Drive), or adigital versatile disc ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitate the connectionof the disk storage devices to the system bus, a removable ornon-removable interface may be employed.

It is to be appreciated that the computer system 11210 includes softwarethat acts as an intermediary between users and the basic computerresources described in a suitable operating environment. Such softwareincludes an operating system. The operating system, which can be storedon the disk storage, acts to control and allocate resources of thecomputer system. System applications take advantage of the management ofresources by the operating system through program modules and programdata stored either in the system memory or on the disk storage. It is tobe appreciated that various components described herein can beimplemented with various operating systems or combinations of operatingsystems.

A user enters commands or information into the computer system 11210through input device(s) coupled to the I/O interface 11251. The inputdevices include, but are not limited to, a pointing device such as amouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard, microphone, joystick,game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card, digital camera,digital video camera, Web camera, and the like. These and other inputdevices connect to the processor through the system bus via interfaceport(s). The interface port(s) include, for example, a serial port, aparallel port, a game port, and a USB. The output device(s) use some ofthe same types of ports as input device(s). Thus, for example, a USBport may be used to provide input to the computer system and to outputinformation from the computer system to an output device. An outputadapter is provided to illustrate that there are some output deviceslike monitors, displays, speakers, and printers, among other outputdevices that require special adapters. The output adapters include, byway of illustration and not limitation, video and sound cards thatprovide a means of connection between the output device and the systembus. It should be noted that other devices and/or systems of devices,such as remote computer(s), provide both input and output capabilities.

The computer system 11210 can operate in a networked environment usinglogical connections to one or more remote computers, such as cloudcomputer(s), or local computers. The remote cloud computer(s) can be apersonal computer, server, router, network PC, workstation,microprocessor-based appliance, peer device, or other common networknode, and the like, and typically includes many or all of the elementsdescribed relative to the computer system. For purposes of brevity, onlya memory storage device is illustrated with the remote computer(s). Theremote computer(s) is logically connected to the computer system througha network interface and then physically connected via a communicationconnection. The network interface encompasses communication networkssuch as local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). LANtechnologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), CopperDistributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet/IEEE 802.3, Token Ring/IEEE802.5, and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to,point-to-point links, circuit-switching networks like IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon,packet-switching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

In various aspects, the computer system 11210 of FIG. 6, the imagingmodule 11238 and/or visualization system 11208, and/or the processormodule 11232 of FIGS. 5-6, may comprise an image processor,image-processing engine, media processor, or any specialized digitalsignal processor (DSP) used for the processing of digital images. Theimage processor may employ parallel computing with single instruction;multiple data (SIMD); or multiple instruction, multiple data (MIMD)technologies to increase speed and efficiency. The digitalimage-processing engine can perform a range of tasks. The imageprocessor may be a system on a chip with multicore processorarchitecture.

The communication connection(s) refers to the hardware/software employedto connect the network interface to the bus. While the communicationconnection is shown for illustrative clarity inside the computer system,it can also be external to the computer system 11210. Thehardware/software necessary for connection to the network interfaceincludes, for illustrative purposes only, internal and externaltechnologies such as modems, including regular telephone-grade modems,cable modems, DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.

RFID Detection Assemblies

During various surgical procedures, a surgical instrument comprising atleast one replaceable component are used. It is important that suchreplaceable components be replaced with functional and/or compatiblecomponents. Various identification systems described in greater detailherein verify, among other things, a component's compatibility with thesurgical instrument and/or verify an operating status of the component.For instance, a controller and/or an identification system can serve to,for example, ensure that the packaging containing the replaceablecomponent has not been destroyed and/or tampered with, alert a clinicianif a component is compatible or incompatible with the surgicalinstrument, alert the clinician if the replaceable component is expired,and/or alert the clinician if a recall exists for a particularmanufacturing batch and/or type of the replaceable component.

The identification systems described herein can either be active systemsor passive systems. In various embodiments, a combination of active andpassive identification systems are used. Passive systems can include,for example, a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, and/or a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag. Passive systems do not comprise aninternal power source, and the passive systems described herein requirea reader and/or scanner to send a first signal, such as an interrogationsignal, for example.

Passive radio frequency identification (RFID) systems communicateinformation by using radio frequencies. Such passive RFID systemscomprise an RFID scanner and an RFID tag with no internal power source.The RFID tag is powered by electromagnetic energy transmitted from theRFID scanner. Each RFID tag comprises a chip, such as a microchip, forexample, that stores information about the replaceable component and/ora surgical instrument with which the replaceable component iscompatible. While the chip may only contain an identification number, invarious instances, the chip can store additional information such as,for example, the manufacturing data, shipping data, and/or maintenancehistory. Each RFID tag comprises a radio antenna that allows the RFIDtag to communicate with the RFID scanner. The radio antenna extends therange in which the RFID tag can receive signals from the RFID scannerand transmit response signals back to the RFID scanner. In a passiveRFID system, the RFID scanner, which also comprises its own antenna,transmits radio signals that activate RFID tags that are positionedwithin a pre-determined range. The RFID scanner is configured to receivethe response signals that are “bounced back” from RFID tags, allowingthe RFID scanner is to capture the identification informationrepresentative of the replaceable component. In various instances, theone or more response signals comprise the same signal as theinterrogation signal. In various instances, the one or more responsesignals comprise a modified signal from the interrogation signal. Invarious instances, the RFID scanner is also able to write, or encode,information directly onto the RFID tag. In any event, the RFID scanneris able to pass information about the replaceable component to acontroller, such as the control system of a surgical instrument and/or aremote surgical system or hub. The RFID scanner is configured to readmultiple RFID tags at once, as the RFID tags are activated by radiosignals. Additionally, in certain instances, the RFID scanner is able toupdate, or rewrite, information stored on an RFID tag in signal rangewith the RFID scanner. The updates can, for example, be transmitted tothe RFID scanner from a surgical hub (e.g. 11106, 8001), or any suitableserver 11113 (FIG. 1). Various surgical hubs are described in describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,395, titled METHOD OF HUBCOMMUNICATION, and filed Dec. 4, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Active radio frequency identification (RFID) systems also comprise anRFID tag and an RFID scanner. However, the RFID tag in an active RFIDsystem comprises an internal power source. Active RFID systems utilizebattery-powered RFID tags that are configured to continuously broadcasttheir own signal. One type of active RFID tag is commonly referred to asa “beacon.” Such beacon RFID tags do not wait to receive a first signalfrom an RFID scanner. Instead, the beacon RFID tag continuouslytransmits its stored information. For example, the beacon can send outits information at an interval of every 3-5 seconds. Another type ofactive RFID tag comprises a transponder. In such systems, the RFIDscanner transmits a signal first. The RFID transponder tag then sends asignal back to the RFID scanner with the relevant information. Such RFIDtransponder tag systems are efficient, as they conserve battery lifewhen, for example, the RFID tag is out of range of the RFID scanner. Invarious instances, the active RFID tag comprises an on-board sensor totrack an environmental parameter. For example, the on-board sensor cantrack moisture levels, temperature, and/or other data that might berelevant.

In various aspects, the RFID systems of the present disclosure can bedisposed on or otherwise associated with surgical instruments 11112(FIGS. 1-3), components of surgical instruments 11112, consumablesuseable in conjunction with surgical instruments 11112, and/or othersystems or devices associated with a surgical system 11100 (FIGS. 1-3),such as a visualization system 11108 (FIGS. 1-3), a robotic system 11110(FIGS. 1-3), a hub 11106 (FIGS. 1-3), or components thereof. Further,the RFID tags described in greater detail below, can be utilized tostore a datum or data identifying the device or component of thesurgical system 11100 that the RFID tag is associated with. In addition,corresponding RFID scanners can be configured to read the RFID tags asthe components of the surgical system 11100 are utilized in order toidentify the components, devices, and/or systems that are in use in theoperating theater and then control a surgical instrument 11112, hub11106, visualization system 11108, or another component, device, and/orsystem accordingly.

In various examples, an RFID scanner can be positioned within or on asurgical instrument 11112 such that the RFID scanner can read RFID tagsof components (e.g., batteries, shafts, or cartridges) as the surgicalinstrument 11112 is assembled. As another example, an RFID scanner couldbe associated with a surgical instrument 11112 such that the RFIDscanner can read RFID tags associated with a hub 11106, visualizationsystem 11108, and/or a robotic system 11110 as the surgical instrument11112 is brought into proximity of or interacts with those systems.These and other RFID detection assemblies are described in greaterdetail below.

Further, various control systems for controlling the RFID systems, thesurgical instruments associated therewith, and/or other devices orcomponents of a surgical system 11100, are described herein. Example ofsuch control systems include a control system 1211 (FIG. 7), a controlsystem 8111 (FIG. 7A), and a processor module 11232 of a surgical hub11206 (FIGS. 5 and 6). Such control systems can be directly integratedinto the component or device that they are controlling. For example, thecontrol system 1211 illustrated in FIG. 7 can control the surgicalinstrument 1100 (FIG. 8-10) into which it is integrated. In anotherexample, the control system 8111 illustrated in FIG. 7A can control thesurgical instrument 8002 (FIG. 11) into which it is integrated.Alternatively, such control systems can be communicably coupled to thecomponent or device that they are controlling. For example, theprocessor module 11232 can be configured to control surgical instruments11112 and/or other components or devices of a surgical system 11100 thatare paired with or communicably coupled to the surgical hub 11206, as isdescribed above. These control systems can include or be communicablycoupled to RFID scanners for detecting RFID tags. The control systemscan then control the subject devices according to the combination orarrangement of detected RFID tags.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8-10, the control system 1211 includes acontrol circuit 1210 that can be integrated with the RFID scanner 1202or can be coupled to, but positioned separately from, the RFID scanner1202, for example. The control circuit 1210 can be configured to receiveinput from the RFID scanner 1202 indicative of the information about astaple cartridge 1320 stored in the RFID tag 1203 and/or informationabout the anvil 1200 stored in the RFID tag 1201.

In various examples, the RFID tag 1203 stores identification informationof the staple cartridge 1320 and the RFID tag 1201 stores identificationinformation of the anvil 1200. In such examples, the control circuit1210 receives input from the RFID scanner 1202 indicative of theidentification information of the staple cartridge 1320 and verifies theidentity of the staple cartridge 1320 based on the input. Further, thecontrol circuit 1210 receives input from RFID scanner 1202 indicative ofthe identification information of the anvil 1200 and verifies theidentity of the anvil 1200 based on the input.

In at least one example, the control circuit 1210 includes amicrocontroller 1213 that has a processor 1214 and a storage medium suchas, for example, a memory 1212. The memory 1212 stores programinstructions for performing various processes such as, for example,identity verification. The program instructions, when executed by theprocessor 1214, cause the processor 1214 to verify the identity of thestaple cartridge 1320 and the anvil 1200 by comparing the identificationinformation received from the RFID tags 1201, 1203 to identificationinformation stored in the memory 1212 in the form of an identitydatabase or table, for example.

In at least one example, the control circuit 1210 can be configured tocheck compatibility of the anvil 1200 with staple cartridge 1320 of thestapling head assembly 1300 based on input from the RFID scanner 1202.The processor 1214 can, for example, check the identity information ofthe anvil 1200 and the staple cartridge 1320 against a compatibilitydatabase or table stored in memory 1212.

In one aspect, an RFID scanner 1202 can be positioned within orotherwise associated with a surgical instrument to read a correspondingRFID tag 1201 that is configured to indicate the actions or operationsperformed by the surgical instrument. For example, FIGS. 8-10 illustrateone such configuration for a surgical instrument 1100 in the form of acircular stapler. A distinct issue with circular staplers is that theiranvils are detachable from their stapling head assemblies, and must beseparately introduced to a surgical site in different manners and fromdifferent access points. Accordingly, unlike other stapling instruments,circular staplers are at risk from anvil-staple head assemblymismatching and/or anvil-staple cartridge mismatching. Further, to beproperly assembled or coupled an anvil and a stapling head assembly mustbe properly oriented with respect to each other at a specificorientation at the surgical site. Improper orientation of an anvil and acorresponding stapling head assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 9, can leadto a misalignment between the staple forming pockets 414 (FIG. 8) of theanvil and staple openings 324 (FIG. 8) of a staple cartridge 1320, whichmay lead to improper staple formation. In addition, the improperorientation of an anvil and a corresponding stapling head assembly canlead to improper seating of the anvil with respect to the stapling headassembly. An improperly seated, or partially seated, anvil may becomeunseated, or separated from the stapling head assembly, due toexternally applied loads from the tissue captured between the anvil andthe stapling head assembly during closure.

To address the issues above, the surgical instrument 1100 includes ananvil 1200 equipped with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag1201 recognizable or detectable by an RFID scanner 1202 on a staplinghead assembly 1300 of the surgical instrument. Likewise, the staplecartridge 1320 includes an RFID tag 1203 also recognizable or detectableby the RFID scanner 1202. The RFID tag 1201 stores information about theanvil 1200, and the RFID tag 1203 stores information about the staplecartridge 1320. As described below, the information can be checked andcompared for authentication and/or compatibility.

Referring still to FIGS. 7 and 8-10, he anvil 1200 includes a head 410,staple forming pockets 414, and a shank 1420. In this example, the RFIDtag 1201 is supported by the shank 1420, on an outer surface thereof,near a bore 422 defined by the shank 1420. The anvil 1200 is coupled orassembled with a stapling head assembly 1300 by advancing the anvil 1200toward a trocar 330 of the stapling head assembly 1300 such that thetrocar 330 is received through the bore 422, as illustrated in FIG. 8.In at least one example, the RFID tag 1201 is positioned on the shank1420 at a first longitudinal position that corresponds, or substantiallycorresponds, to a second longitudinal position of a tip of the head 334of the trocar 330 when the anvil 1200 is properly oriented and fullyseated with respect to the stapling head assembly 1300. In other words,the tip of the head 334 of the trocar 330, when it is received in theshank 1420 at its final seating position, is transversely aligned, or atleast substantially aligned, with the RFID tag 1201. In at least oneexample, the RFID tag 1201 is positioned on the shank 1420 at a positiondistal to the bore 422 and proximal to the lateral openings 424, whichare formed through the sidewall of shank 1420, and/or proximal to latchmembers 430 of the shank 1420.

Referring to FIG. 8, the RFID scanner 1202 is located on an outersurface of a cylindrical inner core member 1312 that extends distallywithin a tubular casing 1310 of the stapling head assembly 1300. Tubularcasing 1310 is fixedly secured to an outer sheath 210 of the shaftassembly 1206 of the surgical instrument, such that tubular casing 1310serves as a mechanical ground for stapling head assembly 1300. The RFIDscanner 1202 is supported by the inner core member 1312, on an outersurface thereof, near its distal end. In at least one example, a recessor pocket is defined in the inner core member 1312, and the RFID scanner1202 is positioned in the recess or pocket. The RFID scanner 1202 can beheld in place in the recess, or pocket, using any suitable techniquesuch as, for example, friction fitting or biocompatible adhesive.Alternatively, the RFID scanner 1202 can be positioned on an innersurface of the cylindrical inner core member 1312. In the example ofFIG. 8, the RFID scanner 1202 is located at a distal portion of theinner core member 1312 below the deck member of the staple cartridge1320. In various example, the RFID tag 1201 and the RFID tag 1203 areinsulated from the shank 1420 and the inner core member 1312 using anysuitable insulative material.

In various examples, RFID tag 1201 and the RFID tag 1203 arerecognizable or detectable by the RFID scanner 1202 in a closedconfiguration of the instrument where tissue is captured between theanvil 1200 and stapling head assembly 1300.

Additional details regarding the aspect illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 can befound in U.S. patent application entitled MECHANISMS FOR PROPER ANVILATTACHMENT SURGICAL STAPLING HEAD ASSEMBLY, Attorney Docket No.END9120USNP1/190246, filed concurrently herewith, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIG. 7A illustrates a block diagram of the control system 8111. Many ofthe components of the illustrated control system 8111 coincide withcomponents of the control system 2111 described above with respect toFIG. 7; therefore, the descriptions of those components will not berepeated. In this aspect, the control system 8111 includes a set orassembly of multiple RFID scanners 8008 that are positioned orconfigured to read a corresponding set or assembly of RFID tags 8006.The RFID scanners 8008 are communicably coupled to a control circuit1210 such that the control circuit 1210 can receive data from the RFIDscanners 8008 and then take various actions based upon the read data, asare described below. In various aspects, the RFID scanners 8008 can bedisposed on or otherwise associated with the surgical instrument orother surgical system component with which the control system 8111 isassociated. In other aspects, the RFID scanners 8008 can be disposed onor otherwise associated with other surgical system components that arecommunicably couplable to the control system 8111. The RFID tags 8006can be disposed on or associated with any type of surgical systemcomponent, including a surgical instrument 11112 (FIGS. 1-3), avisualization system 11108 (FIGS. 1-3), a robotic system 11110 (FIGS.1-3), or other surgical system components (e.g., sterile drapes, ribspreaders, sponges, or adjuncts) or components thereof. In one aspect,each of the RFID scanners 8008 a-h can be configured to read acorresponding RFID tag 8006 a-h. Finally, it should be noted thatalthough the control system 8111 in FIG. 7A is depicted as includingeight RFID scanners 8008 a-h that are configured to read a correspondingnumber of RFID tags 8006 a-h, this particular number are arrangement ofcomponents is simply for illustrative purposes and should not beconstrued to be limiting in any way. In particular, the control system8111 can include any number of RFID scanners 8008 a-h that areconfigured to read any number of RFID tags 8006 a-h.

In one aspect, as described above under the heading SURGICAL HUBS andillustrated in FIG. 11, a surgical system 8000 can include a surgicalinstrument 8002 that is communicably couplable to a surgical hub 8001.Surgical instruments 8002 can include multiple different components thatare couplable together to assemble the surgical instrument 8002 and/orconsumable components that are insertable into the surgical instruments8002 for firing or operating the surgical instruments 8002. For example,the illustrated surgical instrument 8002 can include a housing assembly8004 a, a battery 8004 b removably couplable to the housing assembly8004 a, a motor assembly 8004 c removably couplable to the housingassembly 8004 a, a shaft 8004 d removably couplable to the housingassembly 8004 a, a cartridge 8004 e removably insertable into the endeffector of the shaft 8004 d, and other such components.

The surgical system 8000 can further include the control system 8111. Inthe example of FIG. 11, the control system 8111 includes a set of RFIDs8006 that are positioned on or otherwise associated with the varioussurgical instrument components 8004 a-e. Each of the surgical instrumentcomponents 8004 a-e can include an RFID tag 8006 that is configured totransmit information pertaining to the component with which the RFID tag8006 is associated, such as the component type or component parameters,to a corresponding RFID scanner 8008 associated with the surgicalinstrument 8000 (e.g., the housing assembly 8004 a), the surgical hub8001, or another surgical system device. For example, in the depictedaspect, the housing assembly 8004 a can include first RFID tag 8006 a,the battery 8004 b can include a second RFID tag 8006 b, the motorassembly 8004 c can include a third RFID tag 8006 c, the shaft 8004 dcan include a fourth RFID tag 8006 d, and the cartridge 8004 e caninclude a fifth RFID tag 8006 e. In one aspect, the RFID tags 8006 a-ecan be read by a single RFID scanner disposed on the surgical instrument8002, the surgical hub 8001, or another component of a surgical system8000. Accordingly, a control circuit 1210 of the control system 8111 canbe communicably coupled to a single RFID scanner. In another aspect, theRFID tags 8006 can be read by multiple RFID scanners during the assemblyor operation of the surgical instrument 8002. For example, the RFIDscanners can be positioned on the surgical instrument 8002 such that theRFID tags 8006 a-e are automatically read by a corresponding RFIDscanner 8008 a-e as a natural consequence of the assembly of thesurgical instrument 8002 (an example of which is discussed in greaterdetail below with respect to FIG. 13) or the use of the surgicalinstrument 8002 (an example of which is discussed above with respect toFIGS. 8-10). Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 of the control system8111 can be communicable coupled to multiple RFID scanners 8008 that arepositioned to read one or more corresponding RFID tags 8006. Althoughthe aspects depicted in FIGS. 8-11, 13, and 14 illustrate particularpositions for the RFID tags 8006 and the RFID scanners 8008, it shouldbe noted that these positions are simply for illustrative purposes andthe RFID tags 8006 and/or RFID scanners 8008 can be repositioneddepending upon the geometry of the particular surgical system component,have their positions swapped with each other, or be otherwisereconfigured without departing from the overall structure and functionof the described systems.

In addition to the surgical instrument 8002 or components thereof,including RFID tags 8006, other devices within the surgical system 8000can likewise include RFID tags 8006 and/or RFID scanners 8008. Forexample, in the aspect illustrated in FIG. 11, the surgical hub 8001 caninclude an RFID tag 8006 g that can be configured to be read by one ormore RFID scanners 8008 (FIG. 13) associated with the surgicalinstrument 8002. In other aspects, RFID tags 8006 and/or scanners 8008can additionally or alternatively be associated with visualizationsystem 11108 (FIGS. 1-3), a robotic system 11110 (FIGS. 1-3), orcomponents thereof. Accordingly, a surgical instrument 8002 including anRFID scanner 8008 can detect the various devices or systems beingutilized in the surgical system configuration based on being withindetection range of those devices or systems.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a surgical system 8000 can also include auser identifier 8010 that can be worn or controlled by a user, such as asurgeon. The user identifier 8010 can include an RFID tag 8006 h that isconfigured to store a unique identifier associated with the user, whichcan then be utilized by a control system to retrieve particularparameters or settings associated with that user. The user settings canbe manually set by the user at a computer system (e.g., a surgical hub8001 or a local computer system 11210 (FIG. 6)) or learned by a surgicalhub 8001 through situational awareness, which is described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/209,395, titled METHOD OF HUBCOMMUNICATION, and filed Dec. 4, 2018, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Further, the user settings can be stored in adatabase (e.g., storage 11248 (FIG. 6)) for retrieval by a controlsystem.

In some aspects, RFID tags 8006 and RFID scanners 8008 can be positionedsuch that they are brought into detection range of each other duringassembly of the surgical instrument 8002, or in an assembledconfiguration of the surgical instrument 8002. For example, FIG. 13illustrates an aspect where the surgical instrument 8002 is a circularstapler including an assembly of RFID scanners 8008 that detectcorresponding RFID tags 8006 during assembly of the surgical instrument8002, or in the assembled configuration of the surgical instrument 8002.In particular, the housing assembly 8004 a includes an RFID scanner 8008a positioned adjacent to its coupling portion 8011, which is configuredto engage with a corresponding proximal coupling portion 8012 of theshaft assembly 8004 d. The shaft assembly 8004 d further includes anRFID tag 8006 d that is brought into detection range of the RFID scanner8008 a when the aforementioned components are properly coupled together.In other words, the RFID scanner 8008 a is positioned to read the RFIDtag 8006 d as a natural consequence of the assembly of the surgicalinstrument 8002. Likewise, the shaft assembly 8004 d includes an RFIDscanner 8008 b positioned adjacent to a distal coupling portion 8013,which is configured to engage with a corresponding coupling portion 8014of the end effector assembly 8004 f. The end effector assembly 8004 ffurther includes an RFID tag 8006 f that is brought into detection rangeof the RFID scanner 8006 f when the aforementioned components areproperly coupled together. Therefore, the control system for thesurgical instrument 8002 associated with this aspect can read theinstrument components as they are assembled or coupled together andthereby control the surgical instrument 8002 accordingly based upon thepresence, type, and/or arrangement of components being utilized.

In some aspects, RFID tags 8006 and RFID scanners 8008 can be positionedsuch that they are brought into detection range of each other during useof the surgical instrument 8002. For example, FIGS. 8-10, which aredescribed in greater detail above, illustrate an aspect where a surgicalinstrument includes a pair of RFID tags 1201, 1203 that are recognizableor detectable by an RFID scanner 1202 when the stapling head assembly1300 is in a closed configuration, i.e., where tissue is capturedbetween the anvil 1200 and stapling head assembly 1300. Therefore, thecontrol system for the surgical instrument associated with this aspectcan read the instrument components as the surgical instrument isutilized or operated (e.g., during a surgical procedure) and therebycontrol the surgical instrument accordingly based upon the state of oractions being performed by the surgical instrument.

The RFID tags 8006 can also be positioned on consumables utilized by thesurgical instrument 8002 during the operation thereof. For example, FIG.14 illustrates an aspect where the surgical instrument 8002 is a clipapplier including an RFID scanner 8008 c positioned adjacently to thejaws 8020 for crimping or applying a surgical clip 8022 at a surgicalsite. The clips 8022 can include RFID tags 8006 i that can be read bythe RFID scanner 8008 c as a consequence of the clip 8022 beingpositioned within the jaws 8020. Therefore, the control system for thesurgical instrument associated with this aspect can read the consumablesas the surgical instrument 8002 is utilized or operated (e.g., during asurgical procedure) and thereby control the surgical instrument 8002accordingly based upon the type or characteristics of the consumablesbeing utilized with the surgical instrument 8002. In various aspects,clips 8022 are fed to the jaws 8020 of the clip applier, and the fedclips 8022 become detectable by the RFID scanner 8008 c as they reachthe jaws 8020.

RFID tags 8006 can be configured to transmit a variety of differentinformation to an associated RFID scanner 8008. Further, the variousRFID tags 8006 described herein can be configured to transmit data ineither an active manner (i.e., actively transmitting data for receipt byan RFID scanner 8008) or a passive manner (i.e., in response to aninterrogation signal transmitted by an RFID scanner 8008). For example,the table 8030 illustrated in FIG. 12 indicates data that can betransmitted by RFID tags 8006 associated with the various components ofthe surgical instrument 8002 shown in FIG. 11. In particular, the RFIDtag 8006 a associated with the housing assembly 8004 a can store a datumidentifying the device or surgical instrument type; the RFID tag 8006 bassociated with the battery 8004 b can store a datum identifying thebattery type; the RFID tag 8006 c associated with the motor assembly orgearbox 8004 c can store a datum identifying the motor type; the RFIDtag 8006 d associated with the shaft assembly 8004 d can store dataidentifying the shaft type and/or characteristics associated with theshaft (e.g., length or articulation type); and the RFID tag 8006 eassociated with the cartridge 8004 e can store data identifying thecartridge type and/or other cartridge characteristics (e.g., length,color, or gripping surface type). This data can be transmitted by theRFID tags 8006 when read by a corresponding RFID scanner 8008, which inturn can be coupled to a control system for controlling the surgicalinstrument 8002. The various control algorithms that can be affectedbased upon this data can include communication protocols implemented bythe control system.

As another example, the tables 8040, 8050 illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16indicate data that can be transmitted by RFID tags 8006 associated withconsumables, such as the surgical clips 8022 as shown in FIG. 14. Inparticular, the RFID tags 8006 i can store a datum identifying the typeof the consumable (e.g., a product name, product code, or serial number)or characteristics of the consumable (e.g., cross-sectional profile,length, surface type, tensile strength, or spring back properties for asurgical clip 8022) with which each RFID tag 8006 i is associated.Further, this data can be transmitted by the RFID tags 8006 i forreceipt by a corresponding RFID scanner 8008 c, which in turn can becoupled to a control circuit 1210 that can utilize the received data forcontrolling the operations or functions of the surgical instrument.

With the surgical system 8000 configurations illustrated in FIGS. 7-11,13, and 14, control systems for surgical instruments 8002 and othersurgical system components can utilize a variety of different algorithmsor logics for controlling the actions or operations of their subjectdevices by detecting the arrangement and/or type of surgical systemcomponents present within the operating room and/or the identifyingusers present within the operating room through the described RFIDdetection assemblies. In various examples, the control systems andassociated RFID detection assemblies can be utilized to controlcommunication protocols utilized by surgical instruments 8002,information or alerts provided to users, and/or operational settingsimplemented by surgical instruments 8002 to customize their functionsaccording to the particular equipment between utilized and/or userpreferences. In the following descriptions of processes, referenceshould also be made to FIG. 7. Further, the following processesdescribe, in part, scanning or receiving data from devices forcontrolling a surgical instrument 8002. Such devices can include avariety of different surgical system components, such as surgicalinstrument components (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 11,13, and 14), avisualization system 11108 (FIGS. 1-3), a surgical hub 11106 (FIGS.1-3), a robotic system 11110 (FIGS. 1-3), and so on.

In one aspect, a control system 8111 for a surgical instrument 8002 canbe configured to establish the communication protocol utilized by thesurgical instrument 8002 for communicating with various other surgicalsystem components according to RFIDs scanned thereby. For example, thecontrol system 8111 can execute the process 8100 illustrated in FIG. 17.Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 receives 8102 a first datum from afirst RFID tag associated with a first device and receives 8104 a seconddatum from a second RFID tag associated with a second device via one ormore RFID scanners such as, for example, RFID scanners 8008 (FIG. 7A) towhich the control circuit 1210 is coupled. The received data canindicate, for example, the serial number of a device, the device type,and/or characteristics or parameters associated with the device.

Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 determines 8106 a communicationprotocol for communicating with the first device and the second device.The control circuit 1210 can determine 8106 the appropriatecommunication protocol by, for example, querying a lookup table (e.g.,stored in the memory 1212) with the received device data. Thecommunication protocol can define, for example, encryption techniques,packet sizes, transmission speeds, or handshake techniques. Accordingly,the control circuit 1210 causes 8108 the surgical instrument 8002 toutilize the determined communication protocol for communicating with thesurgical system components during the course of the surgical procedure.

In operation, a control system 8111 executing the illustrated process8100 can read the RFID tags associated with the surgical systemcomponents present within the operating room, determine the appropriatecommunication protocol(s) for communicating with the particulararrangement of surgical system components, and then cause the surgicalinstrument 8002 to utilize the determined communication protocol. Afterestablishment of communications between the surgical instrument 8002 andthe corresponding surgical system components, the control circuit 1210can be configured to receive an operational setting for the surgicalinstrument 8002 from at least one of the surgical system components. Forexample, if the surgical instrument 8002 is communicably coupled to asurgical hub 8001, 11106, the surgical instrument 8002 can download anupdated control program setting forth updated operational settings orparameters from the surgical hub 8001, 11106. Alternatively, afterestablishment of communications between the surgical instrument 8002 andthe corresponding surgical system components, the control circuit 1210can be configured to transmit an operational setting for the surgicalsystem component. For example, if the surgical instrument 8002 iscommunicably coupled to a robotic system 11110, the surgical instrument8002 can transmit operational settings to the robotic system 11110indicating how the surgical instrument 8002 should be controlled oractuated by the robotic system 11110 during a surgical procedure.Additionally, or alternatively, the surgical instrument 8002 can, forexample, transmit sensor data to a surgical hub 8001, 11106.

In one aspect, a control system 8111 for a surgical instrument 8002 canbe configured to automatically display information pertinent for thesurgical procedure type. For example, the control system 8111 canexecute the process 8150 illustrated in FIG. 18. Accordingly, thecontrol circuit 1210 receives 8152 a first datum from a first RFID tagassociated with a first device and receives 8154 a second datum from asecond RFID tag associated with a second device via one or more RFIDscanners such as, for example, RFID scanners 8008 (FIG. 7A) to which thecontrol circuit 1210 is coupled. The received data can indicate, forexample, the serial number of the device, the device type, and/orcharacteristics or parameters associated with the device.

Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 determines 8156 the type ofsurgical procedure that is being performed based upon the device data.The control circuit 1210 can make this determination because theparticular combination or arrangement of device types within theoperating room can indicate what type of surgical procedure is beingperformed. Further, the combination of data from multiple devices canindicate details of the surgical procedure that may not be possible toascertain from scanning any individual device. For example, if a roboticsystem 11110 is present within the operating room along with aparticular surgical instrument type (e.g., a circular stapler or avascular stapler), then the surgical procedure corresponding to thesurgical instrument type is likely going to be performed robotically. Asanother example, if an insufflator and a visualization system 11108 ispresented within the operating room, then a laparoscopic procedure islikely going to be performed. In either of these examples, scanning anindividual device would often not provide the full context for theprocedure. The control circuit 1210 can determine 8156 the surgicalprocedure type by, for example, querying a lookup table (e.g., stored inthe memory 1212) with the received device data. Subsequently, thecontrol circuit 1210 causes 8158 a display screen (e.g., the indicator1209 or the hub display 11215 (FIG. 5)) to display information relevantto the surgical procedure type. The displayed information can include,for example, steps for performing the surgical procedure, steps forassembling the surgical instrument 8002 or other surgical systemcomponents, relevant data or visualization screens for the surgicalinstrument types expected to be utilized in association with theprocedure, and so on.

In one aspect, a control system 8111 for a surgical instrument 8002 canbe configured to automatically display information that is customizedfor the particular user. For example, the control system 8111 canexecute the process 8200 illustrated in FIG. 19. Accordingly, thecontrol circuit 1210 receives 8202 a first datum from a first RFID tagassociated with a device or surgical instrument and receives 8204 asecond datum from a second RFID tag associated with a user (e.g., from auser identifier 8010 as illustrated in FIG. 13) via one or more RFIDscanners such as, for example, RFID scanners 8008 (FIG. 7A) to which thecontrol circuit 1210 is coupled. The data received from the instrumentor device can indicate, for example, the serial number of the device,the device type, and/or characteristics or parameters associated withthe device. The data received from the user identifier 8010 canindicate, for example, the identity or title of the user.

Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 determines 8206 a user settingassociated with the surgical instrument. The user settings can include amagnification for a particular scope type, instrument parameterinformation (e.g., temperature, force to fire, or power level), and soon. The control circuit 1210 can determine 8206 the user setting byretrieving the relevant user setting(s) (e.g., from the memory 1212). Asnoted above, the user settings can be manually set by the user at acomputer system or automatically learned by the surgical system throughsituational awareness. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 causes 8208a display screen to display information pertaining to the surgicalinstrument according to the determined user setting(s).

In one aspect, a control system 8111 for a surgical instrument 8002 canbe configured to determine whether surgical instrument components arecompatible with each other and then take various correct actions. Forexample, the control system 8111 can execute the process 8250illustrated in FIG. 20. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 receives8252 a first datum from a first RFID tag associated with a first deviceand receives 8254 a second datum from a second RFID tag associated witha second device via one or more RFID scanners such as, for example, RFIDscanners 8008 (FIG. 7A) to which the control circuit 1210 is coupled.The received data can indicate, for example, the serial number of thedevice, the device type, and/or characteristics or parameters associatedwith the device.

Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 determines 8256 whether the firstdevice and the second device are compatible. The control circuit 1210can determine 8256 whether the devices are compatible by, for example,querying a lookup table (e.g., stored in the memory 1212) setting forthcompatible surgical instrument device types with the received devicedata. The control system 8111 can be manufactured to store lists ofcompatible component types or receive compatible component types from aremote computing system (e.g., the cloud 11204 (FIG. 5)) to which thecontrol system 8111 is communicably coupled, for example. If thecomponents are determined 8256 to be incompatible with each other, thecontrol circuit 1210 can provide 8258 an alert to the user that thecomponents are incompatible and/or a suggestion of a replacementcompatible component for one of the incompatible components. Forexample, if the user inserts a battery 8004 b into the housing assembly8004 a of the surgical instrument 8002 that is incompatible with themotor assembly 8004 c, the control system 8111 can cause the display(e.g., indicator 1209) to provide 8258 an alert or a suggestion for analternative type of battery 8004 b that is compatible with the motorassembly 8004 c. In one aspect, the control circuit 1210 can further beconfigured to prevent the operation or activation of the surgicalinstrument 8002 in the event that the first and second devices aredetermined to be incompatible with each other.

In various aspects, preventing the operation or activation of a surgicalinstrument 8002 can be achieved using one or more suitable lockoutassemblies such as, for example, a lockout assembly 8170. Variouslockout out assemblies that are suitable for use with the presentdisclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,923, entitled SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A FIRING LOCKOUT FOR AN UNCLOSED ANVIL, whichissued on Dec. 5, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,352, SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING,which issued on May 16, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, whichissued on Feb. 21, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,649, SURGICAL STAPLINGINSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, which issued on Jan. 24,2006; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,921, SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTINCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, which issued on Dec. 27, 2005,which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

As another example, a surgical instrument 8002 in the form of a surgicalclip applier can have different types of jaw assemblies that areappropriate for different types of surgical clips 8022, such as a first,or thin, jaw assembly 8051 a shown in FIG. 21A and a second, or thick,jaw assembly 8051 b shown in FIG. 21B. FIG. 22 illustrates a graph 8052depicting the relationship between force applied to form or crimp thesurgical clip, represented by the vertical axis 8054, and a displacementstroke causing the force application, represented by the horizontal axis8056, for multiple prophetic firings of a clip applier including acontrol system 8111 executing the process 8250 illustrated in FIG. 20. Afirst distance threshold δ₁ represents the maximum stroke distance thata clip applier having a thin jaw assembly 8051 a is capable ofperforming. Further, a second distance threshold δ₂ represents themaximum stroke distance that a clip applier having a thick jaw assembly8051 b is capable of performing. As further illustrated in the table8050 in FIG. 16, different types of surgical clips 8022 can havedifferent mechanical properties; therefore, some types of surgical clipsmay not be suitable for use with all types of clip appliers. In thisparticular prophetic example, the first line 8058 represents a firstclip type (e.g., a Ti—CP clip), the second line 8060 represents a secondclip type (e.g., Ti-3AI/2.5V clip), and the third line 8062 represents athird clip type (e.g., a Ti-6AI-4V clip). In this implementation of theprocess 8250, the clip applier can be the first device and the surgicalclip can be the second device. Accordingly, if a control circuit 1210executing the process 8250 determines that the surgical clip read by theRFID scanner 8008 (e.g., when the clip is inserted into the clipapplier) is the first type or the second type, then no alert orsuggestion is provided to the user for either of the clip applier typesshown in FIGS. 21A and 21B because both of these clip types arecompatible with either clip applier type (as indicated by neither of thelines 8058, 8060 violating the respective thresholds δ₁, δ₂). However,if the control circuit 1210 determines that the surgical clip read bythe RFID scanner 8008 is the third type and the clip applier is the thinjaw assembly type 8051 a, then the control circuit 1210 can provide analert and/or a suggestion for a replacement surgical clip because themaximum displacement stroke δ₁ for the thin jaw assembly type 8051 a isnot long enough to properly form the third clip type (as indicated bythe third line 8062 crossing the threshold δ₁).

In one aspect, a control system 8111 for a surgical instrument 8002 canbe configured to automatically establish the operational settings of thesurgical instrument 8002 according to the scanned components. Forexample, the control system 8111 can execute a process 8300 illustratedin FIG. 23. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 receives 8302 a firstdatum from a first RFID tag associated with a first device and receives8304 a second datum from a second RFID tag associated with a seconddevice via one or more RFID scanners such as, for example, RFID scanners8008 (FIG. 7A) to which the control circuit 1210 is coupled. Thereceived data can indicate, for example, the serial number of thedevice, the device type, and/or characteristics or parameters associatedwith the device. As one example, the devices can include two or more ofthe components of the surgical instrument 8002 illustrated in FIGS. 11and 12. As another example, the devices can include two or more of thecomponents of the surgical instrument 8002 illustrated in FIG. 13.

Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 can determine 8306 the surgicalinstrument type based upon the scanned components. The surgicalinstrument type can include, for example, the general instrument type(e.g., a surgical stapler, an electrosurgical instrument, an ultrasonicsurgical instrument, or combinations thereof) in combination withparticular instrument component parameters (e.g., shaft length,cartridge type, or battery power). In one aspect, the RFID scanner(s)8008 can be positioned such that the RFID tags associated with each ofthe components are naturally read by the RFID scanner(s) 8008 as anatural consequence of the assembly or utilization of the surgicalinstrument 8002, as described above in connection with FIGS. 13 and 14.Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 can determine 8308 an operationalsetting according to the determined instrument type. The operationalsettings can dictate how the surgical instrument 8002 itself (or acomponent thereof) is controlled or how a third device (e.g., a surgicalgenerator that the surgical instrument 8002 is coupled to) iscontrolled. The table 8030 illustrated in FIG. 12 indicates varioussettings that could be controlled by a control circuit 1210 according tothe determined instrument type. For example, a control circuit 1210executing the process 8300 could control the maximum power of thesurgical instrument 8002 according to the detected battery type and thedetected motor assembly type. As another example, a control circuit 1210executing the process 8300 could control the force to fire a knife in asurgical stapler according to the detected motor assembly type and thedetected cartridge type.

In one aspect, a control system 8111 for a surgical instrument 8002 canbe configured to automatically establish the operational settings of thesurgical instrument 8002 according to consumables that are scanned asthey are assembled with and/or inserted into the surgical instrument8002. For example, the control system 8111 can execute the process 8350illustrated in FIG. 24. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 receives8352 a first datum from a first RFID tag associated with a device orsurgical instrument 8002 and receives 8354 a second datum from a secondRFID tag associated with a consumable via one or more RFID scanners suchas, for example, RFID scanners 8008 (FIG. 7A) to which the controlcircuit 1210 is coupled. The received data can indicate, for example,the serial number of the surgical instrument 8002 or consumable, thesurgical instrument 8002 or consumable type, and/or characteristics orparameters associated with the surgical instrument 8002 or consumable.For example, the surgical instrument 8002 can include a clip applier andthe consumable can include a surgical clip 8022, as shown in FIG. 14. Asanother example, the surgical instrument 8002 can include a surgicalstapler and the consumable can include staples disposed within acartridge 8004 e, as shown in FIG. 12.

Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 determines 8356 an operationalsetting according to the consumable type and the surgical instrumenttype. The control circuit 1210 can determine 8356 the operationalsetting by, for example, querying a lookup table (e.g., stored in thememory 1212) setting forth the appropriate operational settings for thesurgical instrument according to the scanned consumable. The controlsystem 8111 can be manufactured to store operational settings forvarious compatible device types or receive operational settings from aremote computing system (e.g., the cloud 204 (FIG. 5)) to which thecontrol system 8111 is communicably coupled, for example. Accordingly,the control circuit 1210 can then control 8358 the surgical instrumentaccording to the determined operational setting(s).

Various prophetic implementations of the process 8350 are illustrated inconnection with FIGS. 25 and 26. For example, FIG. 25 illustrates agraph 8064 depicting the relationship between force applied to thesurgical clip, represented by the vertical axis 8066, and displacementstroke, represented by the horizontal axis 8068, for a clip applierincluding a control system 8111 executing the process 8350 illustratedin FIG. 24. In this example, the control circuit 1210 can determine thatthe surgical instrument is a clip applier and can determine the identityof the consumables as they are loaded into the clip applier, asdiscussed above in relation to FIG. 14. In a first firing of the clipapplier, represented by the first line 8070, the control circuit 1210further determines that the consumable is a first type of surgical clip(e.g., a Ti—CP clip). For this type of clip, the controlled operationalparameters include a first force threshold F₁ and a first closure rateV₁. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 controls the clip applieraccording to the determined operational parameters, i.e., closes thejaws of the clip applier at the first closure rate V₁ and halts closureat or below the first force threshold F₁. In a second firing of the clipappliers, represented by the second line 8072, the control circuit 1210determines that the consumable is a second type of surgical clip (e.g.,a Ti-6AI-4V clip). For this type of clip, the appropriate operationalparameters include a second force threshold F₂ and a second closure rateV₂. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 controls the clip applieraccording to the determined operational parameters, i.e., closes thejaws of the clip applier at the second closure rate V₂ and halts closureat or below the second force threshold F₂.

As another example, FIG. 26 illustrates a graph 8074 depicting therelationship between longitudinal cam load force, represented by thevertical axis 8076, and displacement stroke, represented by thehorizontal line 8078, for multiple prophetic firings of a clip applierincluding a control system 8111 executing the process 8350 illustratedin FIG. 24. In a clip applier, a camming assembly can be configured toapply a closing force to the jaws and thereby apply a clip to tissuepositioned within the jaws. Accordingly, the longitudinal cam load forcecan correspond to the amount of force being imparted upon the jaws ofthe clip applier. The displacement stroke can correspond to the distancethat the cam of the camming assembly has been translated. The profile ofthe cam force applied by the surgical clip applier as a function of thedistance by which the cam has been translated is a controllableparameter that can be tailored to different clip applier assemblies(e.g., as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B) and/or different surgical cliptypes. In various aspects, this controllable parameter can beautomatically selected by a control system 8111 for the surgicalinstrument and/or manually selected by a user. In this example, thecontrol circuit 1210 has received 8352 a first datum from the surgicalinstrument identifying the surgical instrument as a clip applier,received 8454 a second datum identifying the consumable as a particulartype of surgical clip, determined 8456 that the particular surgical cliptype is associated with a particular cam force profile, and thencontrolled 8458 the clip applier according to the determined forceprofiles, as shown by the various lines 8080, 8082, 8084, 8086. Thefirst line 8080 can correspond to the force profile determined 8356 bythe control circuit 1210 for a first clip applier type (e.g., the jawassembly 8051 a illustrated in FIG. 21A) and first surgical clip type(e.g., a Ti-6AI-4V clip). The second line 8082 can correspond to theforce profile determined 8356 by the control circuit 1210 for a firstclip applier type and a second surgical clip type (e.g., a Ti-3AV/2.5Vclip). The third line 8084 can correspond to the force profiledetermined 8356 by the control circuit 1210 for a first clip appliertype and a third surgical clip type (e.g., a Ti—CP clip). The fourthline 8086 can correspond to the force profile determined 8356 by thecontrol circuit 1210 for a second clip applier type (e.g., the jawassembly 8051 b illustrated in FIG. 21B) and a third surgical clip type.

It can be desirable to utilize applied force profiles that are tailoredto the types of clip appliers and surgical clips being utilized becausedifferent types of clip appliers apply forces in different ways anddifferent types of surgical clips have different mechanical properties.Some examples of different mechanical properties are illustrated in thetables 8040, 8050 of FIGS. 15 and 16. Another mechanical property forwhich surgical clips can differ is the degree to which the surgicalclips spring back in response to applied forces, which can in turnaffect the degree or amount of force that one would wish to apply to thesurgical clips to have them maintained in a desired configuration. Forexample, FIG. 27 illustrates a graph 8088 depicting the relationshipbetween the spring back, represented by the vertical axis 8090, fordifferent surgical clip types, represented by the horizontal axis 8092.The spring back can correspond to the percentage or degree to which asurgical clip will return relative to its initial position in responseto a set force, for example. As can be seen from the graph 8088, a firstsurgical clip type 8094 has a spring back of P₁, a second surgical cliptype 8096 has a spring back of P₂, and a third surgical clip type 8098has a spring back of P₃. Therefore, it would be desirable for a controlcircuit 1210 executing the process 8350 illustrated in FIG. 24 to readwhich surgical clip type has been loaded into the clip applier and thenadjust the applied force profile, at least based in part on thespring-back characteristic of a detected clip type.

In one aspect, a control system 8111 for a surgical instrument 8002 canbe configured to automatically implement operational settings of thesurgical instrument 8002 that are customized for a particular user. Forexample, the control system 8111 can execute the process 8400illustrated in FIG. 28. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 receives8402 a first datum from a first RFID tag associated with a device orsurgical instrument and receives 8404 a second datum from a second RFIDtag associated with a user (e.g., from a user identifier 8010 asillustrated in FIG. 13) via one or more RFID scanners such as, forexample, RFID scanners 8008 (FIG. 7A) to which the control circuit 1210is coupled. The data received from the instrument or device canindicate, for example, the serial number of the device, the device type,and/or characteristics or parameters associated with the device. Thedata received from the user identifier 8010 can indicate, for example,the identity or title of the user.

Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 determines 8406 an operationalsetting for the surgical instrument that is associated with the user.The control circuit 1210 can determine 8406 the user setting byretrieving the relevant user setting(s) (e.g., from the memory 1212). Asnoted above, the user settings can be manually set by the user at acomputer system or automatically learned by the surgical system throughsituational awareness. In one aspect, the determined operational settingcan be selected from a range for the parameter. The user can manuallyselect a value or the surgical system can learn the user's preferencewithin the parameter range, for example. Accordingly, the controlcircuit 1210 can control the surgical instrument according to theoperational setting associated with the user.

Various prophetic implementations of the process 8350 of FIG. 24 areillustrated in connection with FIGS. 29-31. For example, FIG. 29illustrates a staple height widget or icon 8500 that is displayable on agraphical user interface. The staple height or degree of deformationapplied by a surgical stapler to deployed staples is a controllableparameter. The graphical user interface can be displayed on, forexample, a device/instrument display 11237 or a hub display 11215. Thestaple height widget 8500 can include a range icon 8502 to indicate asuggested selection range for the staple height and a selection icon8504 indicating the actual staple height that has been selected for thesurgical stapler. In various aspects, the staple height widget 8500 canbe manually manipulated by a user of the surgical stapler and/orcontrolled by a control system 8111 of the surgical stapler. In thisexample, the control circuit 1210 has received 8402 a first datum fromthe surgical instrument identifying the surgical instrument as asurgical stapler and/or from the staple cartridge identifying thecartridge type, received 8404 a second datum identifying the user,determined 8406 that the user identity is associated with a particularstaple height setting for surgical staplers, and then controlled 8408the surgical stapler to set the staple height to the defined settingindicated by the selection icon 8504.

As another example, FIG. 30 illustrates a graph 8510 depicting therelationship between force, represented by the vertical axis 8512, anddisplacement stroke, represented by the horizontal axis 8516, for aprophetic firing of a surgical stapler including a control system 8111executing the process 8400 illustrated in FIG. 28. The force representedby the vertical axis 8512 can correspond to the force experienced by orimparted upon a firing member configured to close the jaws of a surgicalstapler, fire staplers, and/or cut tissue captured by the jaws. Theforce represented by the vertical axis 8512 can also correspond to theforce load generated by a motor. The displacement stroke represented bythe horizontal axis 8516 can correspond to the distance traveled by afiring member, which can be delineated into two distinct phases. In afirst or closure phase, represented by the first line 8520, the firingmember is driving closure of the jaws. In a second or firing phase,represented by the second line 8524, the firing member is deployingstaples and cutting tissue. The speed at which the firing member istranslated during the closure phase (i.e., the closure speed) and thespeed at which the firing member is translated during the firing phase(i.e., the firing speed) are both controllable parameters. Further, theforce threshold representing the maximum force that is permitted to beexperienced by the surgical instrument before the control system 8111halts the translation of the firing member or takes other correctiveactions is likewise a controllable parameter. The force threshold candepend upon the particular surgical instrument component types that arebeing utilized. For example, the first force threshold FT₁ can representthe standard or base force limit, the second force threshold FT₂ canrepresent the force limit for a particular shaft type, and the thirdforce threshold FT₃ can represent the force limit for a particularcartridge type. In various aspects, these controllable parameters can beautomatically selected by a control system 8111 for the surgicalinstrument and/or manually selected by a user. This particular graph8510 illustrates that the control system 8111 for the surgicalinstrument is executing two separate processes.

In particular, the graph 8510 demonstrates that a control circuit 1210executing the process 8400 illustrated in FIG. 28 has received 8402 afirst datum from the surgical instrument identifying the surgicalinstrument as a surgical stapler, received 8404 a second datumidentifying the user, determined 8406 that the user identity isassociated with a particular surgical stapler closure speed settingselected from a permitted closure speed range 8518 and a particularsurgical stapler firing speed setting selected from a permitted firingspeed range 8522, and then controlled 8408 the surgical stapler to drivethe firing member at the selected speeds.

Further, the graph 8510 demonstrates that a control circuit 1210executing the process 8300 illustrated in FIG. 23 or the process 8350illustrated in FIG. 24 has received 8302, 8352 a first datum from thesurgical instrument identifying the surgical instrument as a surgicalstapler, received 8304, 8354 a second datum from the staple cartridgeidentifying the cartridge type, determined 8306, 8356 that the cartridgetype is associated with a particular force threshold setting for thesurgical stapler, and then controlled 8308, 8358 the surgical instrumentto enforce the determined force threshold.

As demonstrated by FIG. 30, the various processes described herein, orany suitable portions thereof, can be utilized in conjunction with oneother in any combination or arrangement for controlling a surgicalinstrument. Therefore, control systems 8111 implementing any combinationof the described processes are intended to be within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

As yet another example, FIG. 31 illustrates a graph 8530 demonstratingthe relationship between force, represented by the vertical axis 8532,and time, represented by the horizontal axis 8534, for a propheticfiring of a surgical stapler including a control system 8111 executingthe process 8400 illustrated in FIG. 28. After clamping tissue, asurgical stapler is programmed to wait for a time period t_(w) beforecutting the clamped tissue or performing other actions. The wait timet_(w) is a controllable parameter. In various aspects, the wait timet_(w) can be manually selected by a user of the surgical stapler and/orcontrolled by a control system 8111 of the surgical stapler. In thisexample, the control circuit 1210 has received 8402 a first datum fromthe surgical instrument identifying the surgical instrument as asurgical stapler and/or from the staple cartridge identifying thecartridge type, received 8404 a second datum identifying the user,determined 8406 that the user identity is associated with a particularwait time t_(w) setting for surgical staplers, and then controlled 8408the surgical stapler to wait for a time period defined by the wait timet_(w) setting, as indicated by the line 8536.

In one aspect, a control system 8111 for a surgical instrument 8002 canbe configured to update an operational setting according to successivelyscanned devices. For example, the control system 8111 can execute theprocess 8450 illustrated in FIG. 32. Accordingly, the control circuit1210 receives 8452 a first datum from a first RFID tag associated with adevice or surgical instrument via one or more RFID scanners such as, forexample, RFID scanners 8008 (FIG. 7A) to which the control circuit 1210is coupled. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 can determine 8454 anoperational setting an operational setting based upon the scanneddevice. Further, the control circuit 1210 can thereafter receive 8456 asecond datum from a second RFID tag associated with a second device viathe RFID scanner 8008. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 can updatethe determined operational setting according to the second device. Forexample, the control circuit 1210 can change the operational settingfrom a first value that is dependent on the first device to a secondvalue that is dependent on both the first and second devices. The datareceived from the devices can indicate, for example, the serial numberof the device, the device type, and/or characteristics or parametersassociated with the device. As one example, the surgical instrument 8002can include a trocar including an RFID scanner 8008. When a first deviceis inserted through the trocar, the control circuit 1210 can read theRFID tag associated with that first device and then update anoperational setting associated with the surgical system based on thedetection of that device. Then when a second device is inserted throughthe trocar, the control circuit 1210 can read the RFID tag associatedwith that second device and then update the operational settingaccordingly. The operational setting in this example can include, forexample, a generator power setting, a surgical stapler firing speed, ora counter tracking the number of device exchanges. Therefore, a controlcircuit 1210 executing the process 8450 can successively updateoperational settings as additional devices are introduced within theoperating theater or surgical environment.

In one aspect, a control system 8111 for a surgical instrument 8002 canbe configured to automatically update a default operational algorithm ofthe surgical instrument 8002 according to scanned components thereof.For example, the control system 8111 can execute a process 8700illustrated in FIG. 33. Accordingly, the control circuit 1210 receives8702 a first datum from a first RFID tag associated with a first deviceand receives 8704 a second datum from a second RFID tag associated witha second device via one or more RFID scanners such as, for example, RFIDscanners 8008 (FIG. 7A) to which the control circuit 1210 is coupled.The received data can indicate, for example, the serial number of thedevice, the device type, and/or characteristics or parameters associatedwith the device. In one aspect, the RFID scanners 8008 can be positionedsuch that the RFID tags associated with each of the components arenaturally read by the RFID scanners 8008 as a natural consequence of theassembly or utilization of the surgical instrument 8002, as describedabove in connection with FIGS. 13 and 14.

Furthermore, the control circuit 1210 can determine 8706 adjustments toa default control algorithm of the surgical instrument 8002 the receiveddata. In addition, the control circuit 1210 can update 8708 the defaultcontrol algorithm to an updated control algorithm based on thedetermined adjustments. The control algorithm can dictate how thesurgical instrument 8002 itself (or a component thereof) is controlledor how a third device (e.g., a surgical generator that the surgicalinstrument 8002 is coupled to) is controlled.

In one example in accordance with the process 8700 of FIG. 33, thesurgical instrument 8002 is an ultrasonic surgical instrument, and thefirst and second devices are an ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonicwaveguide with RFID tags 8006 that store a first datum and a seconddatum, respectively, indicative of adjustments to a default naturalfrequency of the surgical instrument 8002. Ultrasonic surgicalinstruments are designed to operate within a defined frequency band orrange (e.g. 53-57 kHz). Ultrasonic energy is used to drive a predefineddisplacement of an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic energy istransmitted from the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic bladethrough the ultrasonic waveguide, in order to complete a desired tissuetreatment function. The manufacturing process of the first and seconddevices can yield mass variations, material density variations, and/orassembly variations that can shift a natural frequency of ultrasonicsurgical instrument and cause differences in the output displacement.Accordingly, during manufacturing each of the first and second devicescan be tested to capture a natural frequency associated therewith. TheRFID tags 8006 of the first device and the second device can store afirst datum and a second datum, respectively, indicative of the capturednatural frequencies.

Further to the above, the control circuit 1210 can be configured todetermine 8706 adjustments to a default natural frequency of thesurgical instrument 8002 based on the first datum and the second datum,can cause a generator or handle assembly associated with the surgicalinstrument 8002 to adjust the power delivered to the ultrasonictransducer to yield an updated 8708 natural frequency based on thedetermined adjustments. This would optimize the function and variationbetween devices by having the surgical instrument output tuned to thespecific design and/or manufacturing parameters of its components.Additionally operating at the updated natural frequency would reduceundesirable stresses and lower opportunity of breakage. In at least oneexample, the control circuit 1210 can employ a lookup table of naturalfrequency adjustments for corresponding devices of the surgicalinstrument 8002, which can be identified via any suitable identificationinformation such as, for example, a device number, type, or manufacturertransmitted.

For brevity, the various processes above are described as being executedby the control circuit 1210 illustrated in FIG. 7. However, this is anon-limiting example of a control circuit and it should be recognizedthat the depicted processes can be executed by circuitry that caninclude a variety of hardware and/or software components. As anotherexample, the processes can be embodied as an ASIC that is configured toperform the described functions. As yet another example, the processescan be embodied as instructions stored in a memory coupled to aprocessor that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor ordevice to perform the described functions. A control circuit caninclude, for example, the control circuit 1210 illustrated in FIG. 7,the processor module 11232 of the surgical hub 11206 illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, and various other hardware and/or software components.

In various aspects, one of the first device and the second deviceutilized in the processes described in connection with FIGS. 17, 18, 20,23, 33 can be a device packaging. In one example, the second device is adevice packaging of the first device. In another example, the seconddevice is a device packaging of a third device releasably couplable tothe surgical instrument 8002. In at least one example, the first deviceis a housing assembly 8004 a (FIG. 12), and the second device is apackaging of the housing assembly 8004 a. In such example, the devicepackaging can include an RFID tag storing information about the housingassembly 8004 a. The stored information can indicate whether the devicepackaging has been opened or tampered with, can indicate an expirationdate of the packaged device, and/or can include compatibility and/orauthenticity information.

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out inthe following examples.

Example Set 1

-   -   Example 1—A control system for a surgical instrument for use        with a surgical system, the surgical system comprising a first        device and a second device, the control system comprising an        RFID scanner and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner.        The control circuit is configured to receive a first datum from        a first RFID tag associated with a first device via the RFID        scanner, receive a second datum from a second RFID tag        associated with a second device via the RFID scanner, determine        a communication protocol suitable for the first device and the        second device according to the first datum and the second datum,        and cause the surgical instrument to utilize the determined        communication protocol for communicating with the first device        and the second device.    -   Example 2—The control system of Example 1, wherein each of the        first device and the second device is selected from the group        consisting of a surgical hub, a visualization system, and a        robotic surgical system.    -   Example 3—The control system of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the        surgical instrument is selected from the group consisting of a        surgical stapler, an electrosurgical instrument, an ultrasonic        surgical instrument, a surgical clip applier, and a trocar.    -   Example 4—The control system of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein        the control circuit is configured to receive an operational        setting for the surgical instrument from at least one of the        first device or the second device via the determined        communication protocol.    -   Example 5—The control system of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein        the control circuit is configured to transmit an operational        setting to at least one of the first device or the second device        via the determined communication protocol.    -   Example 6—A control system for a surgical instrument, the        control system comprising an RFID scanner and a control circuit        coupled to the RFID scanner and a display screen. The control        circuit is configured to receive a first datum from a first RFID        tag associated with a first device, receive a second datum from        a second RFID tag associated with a second device, and determine        a surgical procedure type according to the first datum and the        second datum.    -   Example 7—The control system of Example 6, wherein at least one        of the first device or the second device is a component of the        surgical instrument.    -   Example 8—The control system of Example 7, wherein the component        is selected from the group consisting of a hand piece, a        battery, a motor assembly, a shaft, an end effector, and a        consumable.    -   Example 9—The control system of any one of Examples 6-8, wherein        at least one of the first device or the second device is        selected from the group consisting of a surgical hub, a        visualization system, and a robotic surgical system.    -   Example 10—The control system of any one of Examples 6-9,        wherein the surgical instrument is selected from the group        consisting of a surgical stapler, an electrosurgical instrument,        an ultrasonic surgical instrument, a surgical clip applier, and        a trocar.    -   Example 11—The control system of any one of Examples 6-10,        further comprising the display screen, wherein the control        circuit is further configured to cause the display screen to        display information pertaining to the surgical procedure type.    -   Example 12—The control system of Example 11, wherein the        information comprises steps of performing the surgical procedure        type.    -   Example 13—A control system for a surgical instrument, the        control system comprising an RFID scanner and a control circuit        coupled to the RFID scanner and a display screen. The control        circuit is configured to receive a first datum from a first RFID        tag associated with the surgical instrument via the RFID        scanner, the first datum identifying a device, receive a second        datum from a second RFID tag via the RFID scanner, the second        datum identifying a user, and determine a user setting        corresponding to the user and the device.    -   Example 14—The control system of Example 13, wherein the second        RFID tag is disposed on a band wearable by the user.    -   Example 15—The control system of Examples 13 or 14, wherein the        surgical instrument is selected from the group consisting of a        surgical stapler, an electrosurgical instrument, an ultrasonic        surgical instrument, a surgical clip applier, and a trocar.    -   Example 16—The control system of any one of Examples 13-15,        further comprising the display screen, wherein the control        circuit is further configured to cause the display screen to        display information pertaining to the surgical instrument        according to the determined user setting.    -   Example 17—The control system of any one of Examples 13-16,        wherein the determined user setting comprises a magnification        for a visualization system.    -   Example 18—The control system of any one of Examples 13-16,        wherein the determined user setting comprises a layout of a        graphical user interface displayed by the display screen.    -   Example 19—The control system of any one of Examples 13-16,        wherein the determined user setting comprises a customized        operational setting for the surgical instrument.

Example Set 2

-   -   Example 1—A control system for a surgical instrument, the        control system comprising an RFID scanner and a control circuit        coupled to the RFID scanner, the control circuit configured to        receive a first datum from a first RFID tag associated with a        first device via the RFID scanner, receive a second datum from a        second RFID tag associated with a second device via the RFID        scanner, and verify compatibility of the first device and the        second device based on a comparison of the first datum and the        second datum.    -   Example 2—The control system of Example 1, further comprising a        display screen, wherein the control circuit is configured to        provide an alert through the display screen that the first        device and the second device are incompatible.    -   Example 3—The control system of Example 2, wherein the display        screen is integral to a surgical hub to which the surgical        instrument is communicably coupled.    -   Example 4—The control system of any one of Examples 1-3, wherein        the first device comprises a first component of the surgical        instrument and the second device comprises a second component of        the surgical instrument.    -   Example 5—The control system of Example 4, wherein each of the        first component and the second component is selected from the        group consisting of a hand piece, a battery, a motor assembly, a        shaft, an end effector, and a consumable.    -   Example 6—The control system of Examples 4 or 5, wherein the        RFID scanner is positioned to read each of the first RFID tag        and the second RFID tag as the first component and the second        component are assembled to form the surgical instrument.    -   Example 7—The control system of Examples 4 or 5, wherein the        RFID scanner comprises a first RFID scanner, the control system        further comprising a second RFID scanner, and wherein the first        RFID scanner is positioned to read the first RFID tag and the        second RFID scanner is positioned to read the second RFID tag as        the first component and the second component are assembled to        form the surgical instrument.    -   Example 8—The control system of any one of Examples 1-7, wherein        the control circuit is further configured to prevent operation        of the surgical instrument according to the first device and the        second device being incompatible.    -   Example 9—A control system for a surgical instrument, the        control system comprising an

RFID scanner and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner, thecontrol circuit configured to receive a first datum from a first RFIDtag associated with a first device via the RFID scanner, receive asecond datum from a second RFID tag associated with a second device viathe RFID scanner, determine that the first device is incompatible withthe second device based on a comparison between the first datum and thesecond datum, and provide a suggestion for a third device as areplacement for the second device.

-   -   Example 10—The control system of Example 9, further comprising a        display screen, wherein the control circuit is configured to        provide an alert, and wherein the alert comprises a notification        displayed via the display screen.    -   Example 11—The control system of Example 10, wherein the display        screen is integral to a surgical hub to which the surgical        instrument is communicably coupled.    -   Example 12—The control system of any one of Examples 9-11,        wherein the first device comprises a first component of the        surgical instrument and the second device comprises a second        component of the surgical instrument.    -   Example 13—The control system of Example 12, wherein each of the        first component and the second component is selected from the        group consisting of a hand piece, a battery, a motor assembly, a        shaft, an end effector, and a consumable.    -   Example 14—The control system of Examples 12 or 13, wherein the        RFID scanner is positioned to read each of the first RFID tag        and the second RFID tag as the first component and the second        component are assembled to form the surgical instrument.    -   Example 15—The control system of Examples 12 or 13, wherein the        RFID scanner comprises a first RFID scanner, the control system        further comprising a second RFID scanner, wherein the first RFID        scanner is positioned to read the first RFID tag and the second        RFID scanner is positioned to read the second RFID tag as the        first component and the second component are assembled to form        the surgical instrument.    -   Example 16—The control system of any one of Examples 9-15,        wherein determining that the first device and the second device        are incompatible causes the control circuit to prevent operation        of the surgical instrument.    -   Example 17—A control system for a surgical instrument, the        surgical instrument for use with a surgical system, the control        system comprising an RFID scanner and a control circuit coupled        to the RFID scanner, the control circuit configured to receive a        first datum from a first RFID tag associated with a first device        via the RFID scanner, determine an operational setting for the        surgical system according to the first datum, receive a second        datum from a second RFID tag associated with a second device via        the RFID scanner, and update the operational setting from a        first value to a second value according to the first datum and        the second datum.    -   Example 18—The control system of Example 17, wherein the        operational setting is for the surgical instrument.    -   Example 19—The control system of Example 17, wherein the        operational setting is for a third device of the surgical        system.    -   Example 20—The control system of any one of Examples 17-19,        wherein the RFID scanner is configured to read each of the first        RFID tag and the second RFID tag as a result of the first device        and the second device being utilized in conjunction with the        surgical instrument.    -   Example 21—The control system of any one of Examples 17-20,        wherein the surgical instrument comprises a trocar, and the RFID        scanner is positioned to read each of the first RFID tag of the        first device and the second RFID tag of the second device as        they are inserted through the trocar.

Example Set 3

-   -   Example 1—A control system for a surgical instrument, the        surgical instrument comprising a first device and a second        device, the control system comprising an RFID scanner and a        control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner, the control circuit        configured to receive a first datum from a first RFID tag        associated with the first device via the RFID scanner, receive a        second datum from a second RFID tag associated with the second        device via the RFID scanner, determine a type of the surgical        instrument according to the first datum and the second datum,        and determine an operational setting according to the surgical        instrument type.    -   Example 2—The control system of Example 1, wherein the first        device comprises a first component of the surgical instrument        and the second device comprises a second component of the        surgical instrument.    -   Example 3—The control system of Example 2, wherein each of the        first component and the second component is selected from the        group consisting of a hand piece, a battery, a motor assembly, a        shaft, an end effector, and a consumable.    -   Example 4—The control system of Examples 2 or 3, wherein the        RFID scanner is positioned to read each of the first RFID tag        and the second RFID tag as the first component and the second        component are assembled to form the surgical instrument.    -   Example 5—The control system of Examples 2 or 3, wherein the        RFID scanner comprises a first RFID scanner, the control system        further comprising a second RFID scanner, wherein the first RFID        scanner is positioned to read the first RFID tag and the second        RFID scanner is positioned to read the second RFID tag as the        first component and the second component are assembled to form        the surgical instrument.    -   Example 6—The control system of any one of Examples 1-5, wherein        the control system is integral to the surgical instrument.    -   Example 7—The control system of any one of Examples 1-5, wherein        the control system is integral to a surgical hub to which the        surgical instrument is communicably couplable.    -   Example 8—The control system of any one of Examples 1-7, wherein        the operational setting is for the surgical instrument.    -   Example 9—The control system of any one of Examples 1-7, wherein        the operational setting is for a third device to which the        surgical instrument is communicably couplable.    -   Example 10—A control system for a surgical instrument, the        control system comprising an

RFID scanner and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner, thecontrol circuit configured to receive a first datum from a first RFIDtag associated with the surgical instrument via the RFID scanner, thefirst datum identifying the surgical instrument, receive a second datumfrom a second RFID tag associated with a consumable device for use withthe surgical instrument via the RFID scanner in response to theconsumable device being inserted into the surgical instrument, thesecond datum identifying the consumable device, determine an operationalsetting corresponding to the surgical instrument and the consumabledevice, and control the surgical instrument according to the determinedoperational setting.

-   -   Example 11—The control system of Example 10, wherein the        surgical instrument comprises a clip applier, the consumable        device comprises a surgical clip, and the operational setting is        selected from the group consisting of a force profile applied by        the surgical instrument to the surgical clip or a maximum force        applied by the surgical instrument to the surgical clip.    -   Example 12—The control system of Example 10, wherein the        surgical instrument comprises a stapler, the stapler comprising,        an I-beam and a motor configured to drive the I-beam between a        first position and a second position, the consumable device        comprises a staple cartridge, and the operational setting        comprises a speed at which the motor drives the !-beam.    -   Example 13—The control system of any one of Examples 10-12,        wherein the control system is integral to the surgical        instrument.    -   Example 14—The control system of any one of Examples 10-12,        wherein the control system is integral to a surgical hub to        which the surgical instrument is communicably couplable.    -   Example 15—The control system of any one of Examples 10-14,        wherein the operational setting is for the surgical instrument.    -   Example 16—The control system of any one of Examples 10-14,        wherein the operational setting is for a third device to which        the surgical instrument is communicably couplable.    -   Example 17—A control system for a surgical instrument, the        control system comprising an RFID scanner and a control circuit        coupled to the RFID scanner, the control circuit configured to        receive a first datum from a first RFID tag associated with the        surgical instrument via the RFID scanner, the first datum        identifying the surgical instrument, receive a second datum from        a second RFID tag via the RFID scanner, the second datum        identifying a user of the surgical instrument, determine an        operational setting corresponding to the user and the surgical        instrument, and control the surgical instrument according to the        determined operational setting.    -   Example 18—The control system of Example 17, wherein the control        circuit is configured to retrieve an operational range        corresponding to a parameter of the surgical instrument and        select the operational setting from within the operational range        according to the user.    -   Example 19—The control system of Examples 17 or 18, wherein the        first RFID tag is associated with a component of the surgical        instrument.    -   Example 20—The control system of Example 19, wherein the RFID        scanner is positioned to read the first RFID tag as the        component is coupled to the surgical instrument.    -   Example 21—The control system of any one of Examples 17-20,        wherein the second RFID tag is disposed on a band wearable by        the user.    -   Example 22—The control system of any one of Examples 17-21,        wherein the operational setting is selected from the group        consisting of a staple height, a power level of the surgical        instrument, a closure speed at which a motor coupled to an end        effector of the surgical instrument cause the end effector to        close, a firing speed at which a motor coupled to a firing        member of the surgical instrument causes the firing member to        advance, and a resonant frequency of an ultrasonic blade of the        surgical instrument.    -   Example 23—The control system of any one of Examples 17-22,        wherein the control system is integral to the surgical        instrument.    -   Example 24—The control system of any one of Examples 17-22,        wherein the control system is integral to a surgical hub to        which the surgical instrument is communicably couplable.

While several forms have been illustrated and described, it is not theintention of the applicant to restrict or limit the scope of theappended claims to such detail. Numerous modifications, variations,changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to those forms maybe implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, thestructure of each element associated with the described forms can bealternatively described as a means for providing the function performedby the element. Also, where materials are disclosed for certaincomponents, other materials may be used. It is therefore to beunderstood that the foregoing description and the appended claims areintended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variationsas falling within the scope of the disclosed forms. The appended claimsare intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes,substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various forms of thedevices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples can beimplemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range ofhardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof.Those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the formsdisclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implementedin integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on oneor more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or morecomputer systems), as one or more programs running on one or moreprocessors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or moremicroprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof,and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for thesoftware and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skillin the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matterdescribed herein are capable of being distributed as one or more programproducts in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative form of thesubject matter described herein applies regardless of the particulartype of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out thedistribution.

Instructions used to program logic to perform various disclosed aspectscan be stored within a memory in the system, such as dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage.Furthermore, the instructions can be distributed via a network or by wayof other computer readable media. Thus a machine-readable medium mayinclude any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a formreadable by a machine (e.g., a computer), but is not limited to, floppydiskettes, optical disks, compact disc, read-only memory (CD-ROMs), andmagneto-optical disks, read-only memory (ROMs), random access memory(RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic or opticalcards, flash memory, or a tangible, machine-readable storage used in thetransmission of information over the Internet via electrical, optical,acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves,infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Accordingly, thenon-transitory computer-readable medium includes any type of tangiblemachine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronicinstructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., acomputer).

As used in any aspect herein, the term “control circuit” may refer to,for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., acomputer processor comprising one or more individual instructionprocessing cores, processing unit, processor, microcontroller,microcontroller unit, controller, digital signal processor (DSP),programmable logic device (PLD), programmable logic array (PLA), orfield programmable gate array (FPGA)), state machine circuitry, firmwarethat stores instructions executed by programmable circuitry, and anycombination thereof. The control circuit may, collectively orindividually, be embodied as circuitry that forms part of a largersystem, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a system on-chip (SoC), desktop computers,laptop computers, tablet computers, servers, smart phones, etc.Accordingly, as used herein “control circuit” includes, but is notlimited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electricalcircuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit,electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integratedcircuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing deviceconfigured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computerconfigured by a computer program which at least partially carries outprocesses and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessorconfigured by a computer program which at least partially carries outprocesses and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forminga memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electricalcircuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communicationsswitch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the artwill recognize that the subject matter described herein may beimplemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.

As used in any aspect herein, the term “logic” may refer to an app,software, firmware and/or circuitry configured to perform any of theaforementioned operations. Software may be embodied as a softwarepackage, code, instructions, instruction sets and/or data recorded onnon-transitory computer readable storage medium. Firmware may beembodied as code, instructions or instruction sets and/or data that arehard-coded (e.g., nonvolatile) in memory devices.

As used in any aspect herein, the terms “component,” “system,” “module”and the like can refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, acombination of hardware and software, software, or software inexecution.

As used in any aspect herein, an “algorithm” refers to a self-consistentsequence of steps leading to a desired result, where a “step” refers toa manipulation of physical quantities and/or logic states which may,though need not necessarily, take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, andotherwise manipulated. It is common usage to refer to these signals asbits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or thelike. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriatephysical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to thesequantities and/or states.

A network may include a packet switched network. The communicationdevices may be capable of communicating with each other using a selectedpacket switched network communications protocol. One examplecommunications protocol may include an Ethernet communications protocolwhich may be capable permitting communication using a TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The Ethernet protocol maycomply or be compatible with the Ethernet standard published by theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) titled “IEEE802.3 Standard”, published in December, 2008 and/or later versions ofthis standard. Alternatively or additionally, the communication devicesmay be capable of communicating with each other using an X.25communications protocol. The X.25 communications protocol may comply orbe compatible with a standard promulgated by the InternationalTelecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector(ITU-T). Alternatively or additionally, the communication devices may becapable of communicating with each other using a frame relaycommunications protocol. The frame relay communications protocol maycomply or be compatible with a standard promulgated by ConsultativeCommittee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) and/or theAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI). Alternatively oradditionally, the transceivers may be capable of communicating with eachother using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications protocol.The ATM communications protocol may comply or be compatible with an ATMstandard published by the ATM Forum titled “ATM-MPLS NetworkInterworking 2.0” published August 2001, and/or later versions of thisstandard. Of course, different and/or after-developedconnection-oriented network communication protocols are equallycontemplated herein.

In various aspects, a microcontroller of control circuit in accordancewith the present disclosure may be any single-core or multicoreprocessor such as those known under the trade name ARM Cortex by TexasInstruments. In one aspect, the main microcontroller 461 may be anLM4F230H5QR ARM Cortex-M4F Processor Core, available from TexasInstruments, for example, comprising an on-chip memory of 256 KBsingle-cycle flash memory, or other non-volatile memory, up to 40 MHz, aprefetch buffer to improve performance above 40 MHz, a 32 KBsingle-cycle SRAM, and internal ROM loaded with StellarisWare® software,a 2 KB EEPROM, one or more PWM modules, one or more QEI analogs, and/orone or more 12-bit ADCs with 12 analog input channels, details of whichare available for the product datasheet.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the foregoingdisclosure, it is appreciated that, throughout the foregoing disclosure,discussions using terms such as “processing,” “computing,”“calculating,” “determining,” “displaying,” or the like, refer to theaction and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registersand memories into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system memories or registers or othersuch information storage, transmission or display devices.

One or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,”“configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “ableto,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-statecomponents and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-statecomponents, unless context requires otherwise.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the housing portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” refers to the portion closest to the clinician andthe term “distal” refers to the portion located away from the clinician.It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity,spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may beused herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instrumentsare used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are notintended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in general, terms usedherein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to claims containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitationis explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that suchrecitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recitednumber (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art willappreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed inany order. Also, although various operational flow diagrams arepresented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the variousoperations may be performed in other orders than those which areillustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of suchalternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted,reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous,reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise.Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or otherpast-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude suchvariants, unless context dictates otherwise.

It is worthy to note that any reference to “one aspect,” “an aspect,”“an exemplification,” “one exemplification,” and the like means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, appearances ofthe phrases “in one aspect,” “in an aspect,” “in an exemplification,”and “in one exemplification” in various places throughout thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect.Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or otherdisclosure material referred to in this specification and/or listed inany Application Data Sheet is incorporated by reference herein, to theextent that the incorporated materials is not inconsistent herewith. Assuch, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly setforth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein byreference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to beincorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existingdefinitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth hereinwill only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises betweenthat incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result fromemploying the concepts described herein. The foregoing description ofthe one or more forms has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. The one or more forms were chosen anddescribed in order to illustrate principles and practical application tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the variousforms and with various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the claims submitted herewith definethe overall scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control system for a surgical instrument foruse with a surgical system, the surgical system comprising a firstdevice and a second device, the control system comprising: an RFIDscanner; and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner, the controlcircuit configured to: receive a first datum from a first RFID tagassociated with a first device via the RFID scanner; receive a seconddatum from a second RFID tag associated with a second device via theRFID scanner; determine a communication protocol suitable for the firstdevice and the second device according to the first datum and the seconddatum; and cause the surgical instrument to utilize the determinedcommunication protocol for communicating with the first device and thesecond device.
 2. The control system of claim 1, wherein each of thefirst device and the second device is selected from the group consistingof a surgical hub, a visualization system, and a robotic surgicalsystem.
 3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the surgicalinstrument is selected from the group consisting of a surgical stapler,an electrosurgical instrument, an ultrasonic surgical instrument, asurgical clip applier, and a trocar.
 4. The control system of claim 1,wherein the control circuit is configured to receive an operationalsetting for the surgical instrument from at least one of the firstdevice or the second device via the determined communication protocol.5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit isconfigured to transmit an operational setting to at least one of thefirst device or the second device via the determined communicationprotocol.
 6. A control system for a surgical instrument, the controlsystem comprising: an RFID scanner; and a control circuit coupled to theRFID scanner and a display screen, the control circuit configured to:receive a first datum from a first RFID tag associated with a firstdevice; receive a second datum from a second RFID tag associated with asecond device; and determine a surgical procedure type according to thefirst datum and the second datum.
 7. The control system of claim 6,wherein at least one of the first device or the second device is acomponent of the surgical instrument.
 8. The control system of claim 7,wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a handpiece, a battery, a motor assembly, a shaft, an end effector, and aconsumable.
 9. The control system of claim 6, wherein at least one ofthe first device or the second device is selected from the groupconsisting of a surgical hub, a visualization system, and a roboticsurgical system.
 10. The control system of claim 6, wherein the surgicalinstrument is selected from the group consisting of a surgical stapler,an electrosurgical instrument, an ultrasonic surgical instrument, asurgical clip applier, and a trocar.
 11. The control system of claim 6,further comprising the display screen, wherein the control circuit isfurther configured to cause the display screen to display informationpertaining to the surgical procedure type.
 12. The control system ofclaim 11, wherein the information comprises steps of performing thesurgical procedure type.
 13. A control system for a surgical instrument,the control system comprising: an RFID scanner; and a control circuitcoupled to the RFID scanner and a display screen, the control circuitconfigured to: receive a first datum from a first RFID tag associatedwith the surgical instrument via the RFID scanner, the first datumidentifying a device; receive a second datum from a second RFID tag viathe RFID scanner, the second datum identifying a user; and determine auser setting corresponding to the user and the device.
 14. The controlsystem of claim 13, wherein the second RFID tag is disposed on a bandwearable by the user.
 15. The control system of claim 13, wherein thesurgical instrument is selected from the group consisting of a surgicalstapler, an electrosurgical instrument, an ultrasonic surgicalinstrument, a surgical clip applier, and a trocar.
 16. The controlsystem of claim 13, further comprising the display screen, wherein thecontrol circuit is further configured to cause the display screen todisplay information pertaining to the surgical instrument according tothe determined user setting.
 17. The control system of claim 13, whereinthe determined user setting comprises a magnification for avisualization system.
 18. The control system of claim 13, wherein thedetermined user setting comprises a layout of a graphical user interfacedisplayed by the display screen.
 19. The control system of claim 13,wherein the determined user setting comprises a customized operationalsetting for the surgical instrument.